Magath: Thiago will be a problem for Pep

Posted Monday, August 05, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Former Bayern Munich manager Felix Magath believes Pepe Guardiola's decision to bring Thiago to the Allianz Arena could backfire on the side's new boss.

Appointed as Bayern Munich manager earlier in the summer, Guardiola followed up his move to Germany with his first signing, sealing a deal for the highly rated Thiago from former club Barcelona.

The Champions League winners shelled out 20 million Euros for the young Spaniard, but Thiago's disappointing performance against arch rivals Borussia Dortmund has already led to critics sharpening their barbs for the upcoming Bundesliga season.

Magath told Sport1 that Guardiola's decision to bring one of his favoured players from the Camp Nou with him to his new Bavarian home will only lead to increased pressure and scrutiny from all around.

"I see it as a problem that a Spanish coach signed a Spanish player, Pep will get problems with Thiago; either his team-mates will be angry because he plays all the time, or people will question the transfer fee, in case the coach won't let him play," he explained.

"Pep could have avoided this situation."

However, German national team boss Joachim Low pointed out that Guardiola was certainly no stranger to the pressure of managing at the highest level.

"He has clear ideas, a clear playing philosophy and he will bring that to Bayern," he pointed out to Bild am Sonntag.

"Guardiola will cope with the pressure. He was the coach of Barcelona and expectations do not get any higher than at that club."