Given the timing of his release from Manchester United, and his subsequent signing by the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer, Bastian Schweinsteiger never truly got the chance to say goodbye to his Red Devils teammates. His transatlantic move came while United was at Middlesbrough, winning 3-1, and then the international break took hold.
With MUFC focused on a league fixture, and the team then going their separate ways for international duty, Bastian Schweinsteiger never had the chance to say a proper goodbye to everyone.
Perhaps his introductory press conference as a member of the Fire will have to suffice.
He had his opportunity to say how much he enjoyed his time at Old Trafford via his answer to the very first reporter question.
“It was not so easy because the decision was a bit late so I couldn’t say a proper goodbye to the team,” Schweinsteiger said before a massive crowd in Chicago.
“Also they had a match away against — I can’t remember — but they had a match on Sunday so I couldn’t really tell them because I didn’t want the focus on me, I wanted to have the focus on the team and the game. So I was very happy that they won.
“I had a great time there, especially with the teammates and the staff there, it was a good time and I enjoyed it there.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Nc0H0YIS0&t=276s
Before arriving in Chicago (to a surreal welcome wagon that was much bigger and bolder than anyone could have ever expected- see it at this link) and meeting the local media, Schweinsteiger did an interview with the New York Times, and he reflected on his short United career.
The German described all the ups and downs of his career there as both “a character test” and “a dream come true.”
Via the NY Times.com:
It is not just that he issues the usual platitudes about wanting to “look forward, not back,” focusing on the Fire rather than the ashes of his time at United — it is that his trials have not diminished his determination, but redoubled it.
“I’m not really a negative thinker,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “It was a character test, that’s all.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger would eventually get his chance to finally feature in Jose Mourinho’s United and he even found the back of the net. The “paper of record” wrote:
Schweinsteiger was given a rapturous reception when he appeared as a late substitute against West Ham United. This year, he was featured in two F.A. Cup games — scoring in one — and a Europa League tie with France’s St.-Étienne. “My dream came true,” he said.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/847201105964646401
At the grand press event, Schweinsteiger also explained why Anthony Martial gave him his nickname of “Giorgio Armani” when he was at United, and told the assembled crowd what he still has to offer his new team, the Fire.
“A lot, I’m 32 years old, I’m ready, of course I need some more training sessions to have the right rhythm where I want to see myself,” the second World Cup champion to sign with a MLS team said.
“I want to use every minute to feel how it is, how my teammates are playing, to know each other better. I hope we will get results soon of course, because I don’t like to lose or get draw.”
Schweinsteiger’s first appearance as a member of the Fire could come Saturday when they host Montreal Impact at 2. His first start might be the following week, April 8th versus Columbus Crew.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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