Guardiola: I'm not trying to turn Bayern Munich into Barcelona - 7M sport

Guardiola: I'm not trying to turn Bayern Munich into Barcelona



Posted Wednesday, August 06, 2014 by Goal.com

The Catalan coach has denied attempting to force his players at the Allianz Arena to adapt to his footballing philosophy, insisting that he is not married to a set system or style

Guardiola: I'm not trying to turn Bayern Munich into Barcelona

Pep Guardiola has dismissed the suggestion that he is trying to transform Bayern Munich into a German version of his all-conquering Barcelona side.

The Catalan coach won three Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, two World Club Cups and two Copa del Reys during his four-year spell at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012, utilising a brand of possessional football that revolutionised the game.

However, even though Guardiola won a domestic double in his first season at Bayern, he was heavily criticised after their Champions League semi-final elimination at the hands of Real Madrid for allegedly attempting to implement tiki-taka at the Allianz Arena - a charge he flatly denies.

"I have to adapt to my players, I can't play like I want," the former Spain international told reporters on his club's pre-season tour of America.

"Of course, I have an idea, but I have to know when we talk about the tactics first of all we have to talk about the skills of our players.

"We can't talk about the tactics without the skills of my players; that is the most important thing: to analyse their talent, their mentality and after to make an agreement together so in that way it is the best for the team and for these players.

"I have to persuade them how is the best to play our football, but I have to adapt because I'm not here to change their mentality.

"I'm not here to change the culture of Bayern Munich or the German mentality and I have to learn to adapt to each other and in the same way to look forward."



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.