Joshua Kimmich opens up on 'difficult' phase at Bayern under Carlo Ancelotti
Bayern München star Joshua Kimmich has lifted the lid on his difficult 2016/17 season under Carlo Ancelotti.
Joshua Kimmich has grown into a pivotal player for Bayern München since he joined the Bavarians from VfB Stuttgart in 2015.
However, in his early years at the club, there were times when the 25-year-old doubted himself.
Speaking in an interview with FC Bayern's official podcast, Kimmich reveals he struggled after Carlo Ancelotti replaced Pep Guardiola as the club's coach in 2016.
"I had a difficult phase with Bayern when Carlo [Ancelotti] was there. My first year at the club under Pep [Guardiola] was very good. When I arrived, I was a second division player, and at the end of the season, I was a German international. That was a big step forward for me," Kimmich said and added:
"But under Carlo, I had to get in line again. There were days when I drove home and asked myself: 'Is this enough? Do I even have the quality to play for Bayern München?'"
After club captain Philipp Lahm retired in 2017, Kimmich became Bayern's first-choice right-back. Under Hansi Flick, the German international has played in the middle of the park.
Kimmich recently suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until January at least.