The versatile Austrian admitted that it would be difficult for him to break ties with the Bundesliga champions.
Alaba have always felt at home in Bavaria
David Alaba has explained his decision to leave the “comfort zone” at Bayern Munich. The versatile Austrian admitted that it would be difficult for him to break ties with the Bundesliga champions. However, at the age of 28, a man who has spent 13 years at Bayern is preparing to take on a new challenge as his contract for the Allianz Arena ends in towards free agency. Several landing clubs have been mooted for Alaba, from Real Madrid to Chelsea, and the defender is looking forward to a new chapter in his career after a trophy-laden stint with Bayern Munich. Quizzed on the emotions that leaving Munich will bring and why he is heading down this path, Alaba said: “It’s always difficult when something comes to an end, and it’s no secret that I’ve always really felt at home here.”
To grow, you have to leave your ‘Comfort Zone’
“Obviously, I am leaving Bayern with a tear in my eyes, but I am looking forward to my future also. It was not a decision against the club, but I decided to do something new and take another step forward. To grow, you have to leave your “comfort zone” – and I deliberately put this word in quotation marks because it might be misunderstood. At Bayern Munich, the expectations on the field are always extreme from the management, in the dressing room or from myself. So I think that perhaps you have to enter the unknown to be able to mature again.” Alaba will leave Bayern Munich after taking over 420 appearances for the German giants. David has been a model of consistency since joining the senior ranks at the age of 17, with the Austria international lining up in defence and midfield.
The stunning roll of honour includes nine Bundesliga titles – with a 10th being chased down in 2021 – six DFB-Pokal triumphs, two UEFA Champions League crowns and a couple of FIFA Club World Cup triumphs.