Arjen Robben to leave Bayern Munich at end of season
Legandary right-winger Arjen Robben confirms that he will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Arjen Robben has put to rest any speculation about his future with Bayern Munich. The 34-year-old has spent 10 years in the Bavarian capital, and it looks like this season will finally be his last.
The Dutchman revealed to Omnisport (via ESPN) at he will he moving on from the club at the end of the season. Robben revealed this during his visit to a Bayern fan club, part of the club’s annual tradition of sending its players to various fan clubs across the country.
"“I can say that this is my last year [at Bayern] and it is good like that. I have taken the decision, personally, that this will be my last year.“I think it is the right moment after 10 years. The club moves on and I may move on. It is the end of a very good and long period.”"
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Robben further added that leaving Bayern Munich does not necessarily mean he is done playing professionally. The Dutchman has previously hinted at the possibility of returning to his home nation, the Netherlands could be a possibility. However, he failed to make any solid comments on his future after FC Bayern.
Since joining the club from Real Madrid in 2009, Robben has played a massive role in Bayern Munich’s success. Most notably, he provided an assist and scored the game-winning goal for the Bavarians in the 2013 Champions League final.
Together with his partner in crime, Franck Ribery, Robben has made Bayern’s wing department one of the most threatening in Europe for most of the past decade. While age has caught up with the duo in recent years, prime Robbery was nearly unstoppable.
Ribery, meanwhile, has also commented on his future at the club. However, the Frenchman was far less direct in his comments and still seems to be considering whether or not leaving Bayern will be the right move for him.
It’s hard to imagine, though, a scenario where Ribery is given a contract extension, especially with Robben announcing his retirement. The Frenchman could take on a non-playing role at the club, should one be offered to him.
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Nevertheless, Bayern will likely head into the next season without one of Arjen Robben or Franck Ribery tearing down the flanks for the first time in over a decade. The times, they are a-changin’.