Raphael Guerreiro has completed his move from runners-up BVB to record champions FC Bayern. He has now explained why the Portuguese left Borussia Dortmund after seven years and despite the possibility of extending his contract.
Raphael Guerreiro comes to Bayern mainly because of head coach Thomas Tuchel, as he told the club media. The two had already worked together during the BVB days, and Tuchel is considered one of the 29-year-old’s great sponsors.
“I remember many moments with him. We won the cup together. It was the first time for me to play in a big club,” Guerreiro looked back on his time under Tuchel. The coach is therefore also a reason for his departure from BVB: “When he called me, I immediately thought that I wanted to play for him again.”
The left-back joined Borussia Dortmund from FC Lorient in 2016 when Tuchel started his second season. It was today’s Bayern coach who put Guerreiro in central midfield for the first time, where he was able to contribute his great technical skills and understanding of the game.
“I was surprised when he put me in midfield for the first time because I’ve never played there,” Guerreiro recalled. “I played on the left but never in the center before. But I played well the first time and kept going then the position.”
Guerreiro on Bayern coach Tuchel: “I have him to thank for that”
Because of Tuchel, he “learned a lot about this position” and now knows much better “how the players move in midfield. My style is to think about the position and movements. I have him to thank for that”. Even under BVB coach Edin Terzic, the Portuguese national player had repeatedly impressed as a central midfielder in the past second half of the season.
While BVB had hesitated in the first half of the season, in which Guerreiro was not always able to convince, with a contract offer, at the end of the season he had a working paper ready to be signed with a term until 2025 including an option for a further year. However, the left footer opted for FC Bayern, where he signed until 2026.
“I’m proud to be part of this great Bayern team. I’ll give everything and I hope we’ll be successful,” said the newcomer, looking forward to the season.