Pep Guardiola: Philipp Lahm is the most intelligent player I have ever trained

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says that Philipp Lahm is the cleverest player he has ever worked with.[Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images]

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on his Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm after he led the Bavarian side to victory over Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup on Friday night, after the match ended in a penalty shootout.

Pep Guardiola, who has previously managed the likes of Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, said that Philipp Lahm was the “cleverest player he has ever worked with,” according to a report on goal.com.

“Philipp Lahm is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained in my career. He is at another level,” Guardiola told reporters.

Chelsea took the lead twice in the match, but goals from Franck Ribery and Javi Martinez took the match to a penalty shootout. David Alaba, Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm, Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri all scored from the spot, and Manuel Neuer saved Romelu Lukaku’s spot-kick to give Guardiola’s Bayern Munich the victory.

The 42-year-old dedicated his first trophy as Bayern manager to his predecessor Jupp Heynckes, saying, “Heynckes is the architect and creator of this title, I want to dedicate it to him.”