Bayern Munich wanted to replace Robert Lewandowski with Erling Haaland.
In a new documentary, the star reveals the game behind the move to Manchester City.
– I actually feel some regret for Lewandowski, says Haaland in the Fiablay documentary.
Erling Haaland was chased by every big club in Europe during the spring after it was clear he was about to leave Dortmund. In the documentary “Haaland: The Election,” viewers can follow the final months before the decision.
There, father Alf-Inge Haaland revealed, among other things, that Bayern Munich was interested even when the club ostensibly said he was not.
– They showed interest, they did. I understand that they want to protect themselves. If it doesn’t end up there, they learn to say “it didn’t fit.” We already have the best. But they know Lewandowski is still the best in the world, but he’s 34 years old, he said in a clip from February 2022.
‘Feels disrespected’
Even Haaland himself stated that Bayern Munich wanted to replace Lewandowski with him.
– If I try to imagine how Lewandowski thinks… I don’t know how many goals and titles he has at the club. Then I feel a little sorry for him, seriously. At the same time, it is an opportunity for him to take his last step in his career. He feels disrespected, but at the same time it’s an opportunity for him, he says.
Alf-Inge Haaland also tells in the documentary that the team around Haaland made their own scoring system where clubs are scored from 1 to 10 based on different criteria before adding the total to find the best club.
Among other things, it was about the fans, the stadium, the quality of the league, the size of the club, the type of team, finances and so on.
Who needs a number nine? Liverpool is at the top of the list. But it’s a bit uncertain there, whether or not they need a number nine. City gets the pot when it comes to their need for the number nine. Real Madrid gets five or six. They have Benzema. Bayern Munich one point, they do not need the number nine. But if he disappeared, they would have no one else, says Alf Eng and continues:
Choosing Munich would have been controversial, but on paper they are one of the best teams. There is no talk about it. I think City is the best team. Munich is number two. Real Madrid is in third place and Paris Saint-Germain is in fourth place. We have some very good English teams, both Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as City. Barcelona is also on the same level.
Attractive City players
According to Erling Haaland, the choice was finally between ManchesterReal Madrid and stay in Dortmund. The fact that City’s players pleaded with the striker to come when they met in the Champions League in 2021 didn’t make matters worse when the choice finally fell to the English big club.
Yes, I will be completely honest. When I played against City, I think 15 people came after the game saying I was coming to City. Stones, Robin Dias, Gundogan, Fahdn. So many people said. De Bruyne said that. I met (Ryad) Mahrez during the holiday and then he started talking about it. Haaland says it’s fun that players want to get one for the club.
“Haaland: The Choice” premieres on Viaplay on Saturday.