Guardiola still undecided over Bayern future
SHORTLY before kicking off his third and possibly final season in charge, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola is still undecided about his future with the German Bundesliga club.
Guardiola’s three-year contract ends after the upcoming season, and the coach said yesterday there was “still time” to discuss his future with Bayern officials, who are eager to keep him. “I have not received any offer from any other club in the world,” the Spaniard said.
Guardiola was speaking one day before the German Super Cup launches the season. Bundesliga champion Bayern plays German Cup winner VfL Wolfsburg, which was runner-up in the league.
The ex-Barcelona coach acknowledged Bayern officials may “not be happy” with his decision-making delay but stressed he was “thankful to be here”.
“I have done my best, I am doing my best, and I will do my best,” Guardiola said. “But three years are a long time. I am not completely convinced that I am the right person for this club.”
In his first season in charge, Guardiola’s star-studded team swept the domestic double but had to settle for only the Bundesliga title last season. In both seasons, Bayern was ousted in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Guardiola has still to win the lightly regarded Super Cup. He lost his two previous attempts, both against Borussia Dortmund.
“It’s a big title for me and Wolfsburg is a big rival,” said Guardiola, whose team lost 1-4 at Wolfsburg at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga last season.
Bayern will be without some injured stars, but the club’s most high-profile new signing, Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, could make his debut today in Wolfsburg. Winger Franck Ribery and defenders Holger Badstuber, Dante, Javi Martinez and Jan Kirchhoff are injured. Arjen Robben could return after a muscle injury.
Wolfsburg could be without Kevin de Bruyne, who has back problems. De Bruyne was voted the Bundesliga’s top player last season by football writers in a poll for Kicker magazine. The Belgium midfielder is reportedly the target of big European clubs, and has repeatedly said that he was uncertain where he will be playing in the upcoming season.
De Bruyne’s departure would be a blow to Wolfsburg’s ambition to permanently establish itself as Bayern’s biggest domestic challenger.
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