Pep Guardiola has established legendary status for himself with his spectacular feats as Barcelona coach and, as such, he could have taken a low pressure but high paying managerial job in Asia or America. That would have been the easy option.
But Pep is made of more than that.
Next season Guardiola will take the reins at European giants Bayern Munich, who will expect success in both the German Bundesliga and the Champions League.
Pep will know he is not in for an easy ride in Munich, but he will have every reason to feel comfortable in the choice he has made.
The Spaniard has been a man in demand since taking a sabbatical from football. The nouveau-riche Paris Saint-Germain were rumoured to be willing to throw their vast amounts of cash at Guardiola but he showed he is not in the game for the money.
A couple of Italian teams were linked with him but Serie A clubs are not as competitive as they used to be and probably wouldn’t appeal to a coach who has lofty ambitions.
Chelsea and Manchester City were both interested in bringing Pep on board and – because of his admitted desire to one day work in the Premier League – these clubs were seen as viable options.
He could have earned a small fortune at either club and if he was not successful his reputation would still be intact because so many other managers have failed there before him.
But these clubs’ habit of routinely firing their managers when success is not guaranteed would have been a warning for Guardiola.
Bayern however is different. They provide an environment that is not too dissimilar from Barcelona.
German clubs are renowned for their youth policy and the Bundesliga features some of the most talented young players in Europe.
Bayern have also recently adopted a different playing system in order to wrest control of domestic honours from Borussia Dortmund. While this new style is not at Barcelona’s stratospheric level, it is closer to the Catalan’s approach.
This leaves Guardiola with a system that he can work with and easily tweak so that both he and the players will be comfortable with the way they play.
In addition, Bayern already have a squad graced with gifted players.
Manuel Neuer is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are part of an envious midfield while the two Marios, Gomez and Mandzukic, have been prolific in front of goal lately.
The backbone is there. The team is running away with the league at the moment and were robbed of the Champions League title last season.
Guardiola can now prove his ability without the services of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. He can provide the extra push that the German club needs to become truly successful.
Typically, Guardiola has taken on a project that will challenge him. It is a project that requires tactical vision, diplomacy and belief. If it works, his reputation will be beyond believable.
Don’t bet against the Spanish maestro achieving it!
dasilva
Guest
I think it's soemthing in between Pep Guardiola took them to a level above Rijkaard and added the pressing into the Barcalona game and he cleared out the players with teamwork issues from the club (Deco, Ronaldinho) and the club flourish because of that. The possession of Barcalona was probably around the 55 mark under Rijkaaard but under guardiola it went up regularly in to the 60's and sometimes even in the 70's. So he clearly had something that was above what previous Barcalona manager couldn't have. Still he had brilliant players under his disposal
Brian
Guest
C'mon Stevo Villanova is suffering from cancer and they are doing better than last year under Pep
Ballymore
Guest
I' disagree. Frank Rijkaard has failed at both Gala and KSA since leaving Barcelona.
swannies05
Roar Pro
I would love to see Bayern bring home the Champions League in the next year or two. After heartbreaking losses against Chelsea last year and of course Man U back in '99, I can't think of a team more deserving. Go the Munchies!
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
When Fergie retires Pep should take his place. I was glad when he left Barcelona (I hate Barcelona) but am now happy. Go Bayern!
Stevo
Guest
Like what you say and agree that Chelski and Citeh are simply just trouble - but wouldn't be a problem if you we're just after the money. Will be watching the Pep/Bayern experiment with interest next season.
Stevo
Guest
Mate, if you think that al you need is a bunch of gifted players and all will work itself out then I must shake my head in disbelief.
Justin Cormick
Roar Guru
I was surprised Pep chose Bayern, but thinking about it makes sense. Bayern are a team who play good possession based attacking football. They are a very successfully club, but have struggled to win trophies in recent seasons, particularly against Dortmund. Similarly to when Pep took over at Barca when they were struggling against Real Madrid to win trophies. However, Germany's youth system is not as well developed as that in Spain, particularly at Barcelona. I wonder if Pep will do anything about that.
Damiano
Guest
"A couple of Italian teams were linked with him but Serie A clubs are not as competitive as they used to be and probably wouldn’t appeal to a coach who has lofty ambitions" As I recall those teams were AC Milan & Inter, whatever you think of Italian football, these are storied clubs with lofty ambitions. This article reads like it was Reggina & Albinoffe... As Nickoldschool says, Bayern is probably the easy option, as they are easily the most successful club in Germany, and if they bring home a trophy they are usually not far off.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Given the club structures and cultures in Germany I do believe the Bundesliga is a good choice though agree with nickoldschool that Bayern is probably not the club. This is going to be Pep's first time out of Barcelona and there is a risk as to whether or not he will adapt to a new environment and be able to stamp his authority on a bunch of strangers, as opposed to 'family'. I think that Bayern Munich will expect too much from him. Hannover or Werder Bremen would have been better fits and challenges in my opinion.
Brian
Guest
I think he's an overrated manager to a degree as proven by Spain and the current Barca side. The players are amazing and quite frankly I reckon I could coach Messi, Xavi etc to success. Ferguson and Mourinho for example have proven themselves over a much longer time period. I expect the Man Cty job to be vacant at the end of the season and would expect either Pep or Mourinho to fill it. Certainly if Mourinho stays at Real I can see Pep going to Man Cty.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hmmm, some good points but i disagree with the fact that in choosing bayern, Guardiola has opted for a challenge and not 'an easy option'. Bayern Munich has probably been the most consistent euro club for as long as i have been watching footbal, i.e over 30y. When you are there, you have a guarantee to fight for the championship every year, to win roughly 50% of the titles and play the UCL every year. Quite similar to being at barca really. I would have liked to see him in the calcio or EPL, or even take over a club like PSG who now has the money to become one of the top clubs in the world but not the game/style yet and where everything is yet to be built. These would have been challenges. Dont get me wrong, Bayern and the bundesliga are a great choice, with fantastic structures, packed stadiums, open football etc, but its also probably the safest choice PG could have made in Europe.