Robben: Ancelotti wants to win the treble

Arjen Robben will be one of the key figures for new Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti. After an injury break the 32-year-old Dutch striker is successfully working on his comeback.

"Bayern's goals haven't changed under the new coach, we want to win the treble," Robben said in a recent Xinhua Interview.

Robben expects a new Bayern style with Ancelotti. "With Mats Hummels in our defense we are stronger than before," Robben said.

Xinhua: We saw you working hard and all on your own to get back into shape. How much fun was it?

Robben: (laughing) You probably won't believe me but it was fun to some extent.

Xinhua: Being able to call it fun must be something only professional sportsmen and women are capable of.

Robben: (laughing) That's exactly what it was. But just imagine you feel the moment when you notice hey, it's working. It's getting better every day. There are many moments you have to be patient, but then all of a sudden the special moments are there, meaning you feel the improvement.

Xinhua: So working on a comeback in sports is something special and challenge for soul and mind?

Robben: To some extent yes. Over the years as a professional footballer, you learn to listen to your body and mind. You have to act on the signals telling you when it's time to slow down or have a break. You have to control your ambitions.

Xinhua: The Netherlands did not qualify for Euro 2016. How hard was it watching games without the famous orange shirts on the pitch?

Robben: Nobody in the Netherlands was that extremely happy about the situation. We somehow knew all the time that we should have be part of it. But we didn't make it and we were deeply disappointed. But things like that happen and the only thing that helps is to concentrate on the future.

Xinhua: So you did not watch?

Robben: I saw some games, only a few because I went on vacation with my family to the US. I followed the results and as I said some games, but my family was more important to me of course. Then I returned back to training a week earlier to get back into shape and close the gap after my last injury.

Xinhua: No frustration and no thoughts of retiring from the national team?

Robben: We talked about the normal amount of frustration already but there has been no thoughts at all of retiring. I'm the captain of the Dutch team and it's something I'm proud of. We have many talented players in the Netherlands. And I am sure we will return more successfully in the near future.

Xinhua: You don't fear a difficult start into the new season as many of your team-mates such as Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Kingsley Coman and Renato Sanches had to go through a long season with Euro at the end.

Robben: All of these guys are used to a large amount of games. Therefore I don't expect serious problems. We are all ambitious and will be fully concentrated. After a major tournament like Euro, it will be especially important not to give away any points.

Xinhua: After all: Missing Euro 2016 gave you the opportunity to get in contact with your new coach Carlo Ancelotti?

Robben: (laughing) I see you are familiar with a sportsman's thoughts.

Xinhua: Well, how is he?

Robben: The first days have been very good, but that was nothing unexpected. He is a world class coach and it is great to work with him. But I'm sure I didn't tell you any sportsmen's secrets.

Xinhua: We're aware, we might well be asking another strange question, but is there a difference between Ancelotti and his predecessor Pep Guardiola?

Robben: (laughing) Carlo Ancelotti is Italian, Pep Guardiola is Spanish. But seriously: It is too early to say something substantial about that. We will see if there is a difference between them when it comes to tactics and training. It might take some time to adopt the Ancelotti way, but I'm sure we will have a lot of fun working together. It will take some weeks to get to know his system and his way of working, but we at the same time know we have to work right from the beginning.

Xinhua: One thing we assume won't change . . . .

Robben: . . . (laughing) it is not hard to guess that you're talking about the treble. But that is normal for a club like Bayern Munich and a coach like Carlo Ancelotti. By the way winning the treble is nothing different compared to a coach like Pep Guardiola.

Xinhua: At the end of your career, you will be one of the few players that have worked with the most famous coaches on the planet such as Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho. You could meet Guardiola in the Champions League again. Anything you look forward too?

Robben: If it could be in the final, no problem. (laughing) But honestly, to meet one of them with their teams is a special challenge for everybody. I worked with both Pep and Jose for three years and I can say, every era gave my career some kind of development. By the way it will be very interesting too to see the two cross swords in the English Premier League.

Xinhua: Time for the next strange question we guess.

Robben: (laughing ) Have there been anything else so far.

Xinhua: Got us. So: Who is the better one of the two - Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho?

Robben: You keep your promises.

Xinhua: And?

Robben: Well I'm not sure anybody can answer that question, I certainly can't. Both are totally different personalities. I was very young when I worked with Jose Mourinho. Chelsea at the time was my first station abroad. But as I said, I have learned a lot from both.

Xinhua: Looking at Bayern's defense, it seems it will be incredibly hard to overcome. Keeper Manuel Neuer and central defenders Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels are amongst the world's creme de la creme.

Robben: (laughing) I hope so. Honestly we know everyone will be especially ambitious to beat us, but with Mats Hummels, Bayern has another world class player in its squad.

Xinhua: Mats Hummels said his big goal is titles such as the Champions League. How about you?

Robben: Every season we have the same goal, to get into the final and win this last important game. I think for a club like Bayern, it's realistic to talk about reaching the Champions League final every season. It's something that makes us proud and is proof of the squad's special class.

Xinhua: Does a trip like the one Bayern Munich will make to the US in a few days help to get to know new team-mates and the new coach better?

Robben: It's only a ten-day trip, but even these ten days are enormously important for team-building and getting to know the new coach. I love trips like that; it gives you the opportunity to talk about a lot of things in detail. Everyone is highly focused on progressing. It gives you a good team feeling right from the start.

Xinhua: You will meet Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan for friendlies. All three opponents are top dogs in club football. Is it the right strategy to start with such strong opponents because you have to be fully concentrated from the start?

Robben: In the first place we will face interesting challenges and meet a lot of people such as our fans of which we have many around the world and in the US. Looking at the games, the result might not be the most important thing. But to warm up against teams like that always gives you the opportunity to start with new ideas in your game, analyze and improve.

Xinhua: So it is a business trip and far from a sightseeing tour?

Robben: (laughing) As always, you can say that there will be a lot to see and discover, but . . . . . . . Honestly, one thing is clear, the first task of our team and staff will be to get on with the season's preparation. (laughing) For me it is no problem, as you remember, I recently went to the US on vacation. I might be able to tell my teammates what they will miss while working on the pitch.

Xinhua: And after you told them you be will leaving the club. There have been rumors that you are considering joining another club?

Robben: (laughing) I can assure you that it is not another sportsman's secret. I've got absolutely no plans to leave Bayern Munich. What's in my mind is to get back to a top level when it comes to my fitness and get as much match practice as I can before the season kicks-off. I think the club and I have a very good relationship and many aims we're aiming to achieve together.

Xinhua: As you are not considering leaving, are you considering extending your contract? Your current one runs out in 2017.

Robben: To stay longer than 2017 is an option, of course. But at the moment it's not a topic in my mind. As I said we want to get to know our new coach and as for me I want to get back to a top level. I know I still have a lot to give to the team and I'm looking forward to winning more titles with Bayern Munich.

Xinhua: At the moment we see many players and coaches joining Chinese clubs. What do you think about developments like that?

Robben: It's a very interesting development. There is not good or bad about it. Financially a lot of things seem to be possible in China, but every player or coach has to decide on basis of his situation if going to China can be an option. Generally it is a good thing that football in China is developing so quickly. As I hear there are currently many things happening in China. The main thing will be to be patient.

Xinhua: Do you believe it is a good strategy to sign foreign players and coaches?

Robben: Foreign coaches and players can only be one part of the concept. As important or maybe more important part will be the general concept behind it. It'll be essential to build up an academy system for youngsters. I've heard football will now be taught in elementary schools. I think that is a great idea because you can attract many young people to football. Endit