Hitzfeld: Guardiola didn't fail at Bayern Munich

Ex-coach says Pep's critics don't understand football

Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2016 by Marca.com

With many criticising Pep Guardiola for Bayern Munich's Champions League exit, Ottmar Hitzfeld has leapt at the Catalan coach's defence.

The Bavarians were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Atletico Madrid, something which still seems to irk some media and pundits alike despite Guardiola's men clinching a historic fourth title in a row on Saturday.

Gazzetta World reports the 67-year-old's comments, that those who've condemned the ex-Barcelona man's tenure in Bavaria are in the wrong.

"Guardiola did not fail [at Bayern]," Hitzfeld told Bild. "He has improved the team and the way football is played in the Bundesliga as well.

"Those who can't comprehend how amazing it is to bring a team to three consecutive Champions League semi-finals don't understand anything [about football].

"I think Guardiola will get the credit and recognition he deserves from the Bundesliga in months to come. Often, it is hard to really grasp what someone has achieved until he is gone."

After three season with the Bavarian outfit, Guardiola heads to the Premier League next where he will take charge of Manchester City.