Ancelotti: 'I try every day to convince' retiring Lahm to continue

Three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti may be one of football's most celebrated managers, but at the end of the day, the Italian gaffer is no different than the common fan.

Speaking with reporters ahead of Bayern Munich's DFB-Pokal semi-final with rival Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Ancelotti conceded that he's doing everything in his power to convince Philipp Lahm not to retire.

"I'm sad that he is ending his career," Ancelotti said, courtesy of ESPN FC.

"He's really important for the club, manager and a great example to his teammates. I love his professionalism and his quality."

Related: Bayern stalwart Lahm confirms intention to retire at season's end

When Lahm, 33, announced his retirement in February, the seven-time Bundesliga winner shocked the football world. As versatile as any player on the continent, the 113-times-capped Die Mannschaft stud could still walk into any club's starting XI. Ancelotti agrees, imploring his captain not to hang up his boots.

"I try every day to convince him to continue, asking if he has changed his mind - until now he hasn't," Ancelotti said. "I am still hoping. I try to joke with him but I think he's decided to stop. I hope he can finish his career in the best possible way."

With four matches left in the Bundesliga campaign, the Bavarian behemoth boasts an eight-point advantage on debutant RB Leipzig, and with Lahm set to capture a fifth title on the trot and potentially a seventh league cup, the Munich-born star appears set to end a decorated career on a high note.

Still, Ancelotti is refusing to let his skipper walk away from the game, and if that means another change of position for the adaptable German, so be it.

"If he carries on, we'll change his position to midfield so he doesn't have to run as much. Perhaps that will work."