Guardiola: Bayern will not be another Barca

Posted Tuesday, June 25, 2013 by Foxsports.com

New Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has insisted that he will not be seeking to replicate his style at Barcelona at the Allianz Arena.

Guardiola's successful time at Barcelona has left many wondering if he would implement Barca's 'tiki-taka' style when he takes over at Bayern Munich - a huge concern for the club's fans given that their direc attacking style has brought them success in recent seasons.

The Spaniard has made it clear in his first press conference as Bayern manager that he is here to adapt the team's style to the players.

"Barcelona players have different qualities to those of Bayern. I need to adjust to the players, not the other way around," Guardiola said at a press conference.

"Football belongs to the players, not to the coach. The fans come to the Allianz Arena to watch the players play rather than because of me.

"I will have to adapt. The formation I use does not really matter."

He also went on to praise his predecessor Jupp Heynckes, who won the first ever German treble with Bayern last season.

"Bayern won all titles that they could win last season. Expectations are very high. I can only try to keep up the same high level the team had under Heynckes.

"I have not been in touch with him yet, but I hope to do so shortly. His opinions means a lot to me.

"I have a lot of respect for his performances, not just for what he achieved last season, but for his entire career. I feel honoured to be his successor."

Guardiola's arrival has prompted rumours of a shake-up with direct players like Franck Ribery thought to be on the way out of the club, but he has insisted that he will be seeking to build on the squad, not to revamp it.

"In my opinion a team does not need a lot of transfers when you have just won four titles. The team is already pretty good.

"But I don't know how Matthias Sammer, [Karl-Heinz] Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness feel about that."

The 42-year-old revealed that Bayern's rich history was part of the reason behind his decision to return from a management break.

"I decided to join Bayern because of the players and the club's history. They're one of the best teams in the world," Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday.

"I am ready to return to football. This is a new challenge for me. My time at Barcelona was wonderful, but I needed a new challenge. Bayern Munich have given me that opportunity.

"I have to accept that people will make comparisons [to 2012-13]. A coach is always under a lot of pressure at a big team. I realise that's the case here as well, but I'm happy to take on that responsibility.

"I take charge of a team that's had an amazing season. They won four titles, the treble and the German supercup against Borussia Dortmund."