Pep not interested in switch to United
Guardiola had already committed to taking over at Bayern when the United job last became available following Alex Ferguson’s retirement in May.
He insisted he has no interest in leaving the European champions come the end of the current campaign.
“I am at Bayern and I want to stay two more years here. We have won the Bundesliga but I feel our team can improve,” he said.
“I knew perfectly the style of managing in Spain but I had to change to a new culture, to the ideas in Germany and I needed more time to feel this is really my team.
“I feel Bayern now is my team but I feel we can play better, we can improve and I think I still have work to do. I am comfortable here.”
The former Barcelona boss said the lack of patience shown to Moyes after less than a season in charge of the Premier League giants was part of modern football.
“It is nothing new,” Guardiola said ahead of Bayern’s Champions League semi-final, first leg against Real Madrid tonight. “For the past five, 10, 15 years at the big clubs, if you lose you are out on the street.”
Guardiola’s main focus yesterday was, understandably, on tonight’s showdown with Real Madrid. He admitted his team’s desire to win games dropped after clinching the Bundesliga, but believes they are returning to their peak.
The Bavarian outfit wrapped up the German title in record time at the end of March, but have since surrendered their unbeaten run in the league — winning just three of their last seven games in all competitions.
“In 27 games we conceded 13 goals and then seven in our next three matches after that, so our focus dropped a bit because we had already won the league,” Guardiola said.
Despite the blip in form, Guardiola praised the overall hunger of his team, who stand the chance of winning the treble for a second consecutive season.
“Normally, when you win a title, you lose your desire and focus a little — you lose this zeal. That is why I am so proud of my team, because last year they won everything and the coach changed and they accepted my little changes and this year we have won the Bundesliga, we are in final of the cup and semi-finals of the Champions League.”
History is on Guardiola’s side on his return to the Bernabeu, where he never lost in six visits as coach of Real’s arch rivals Barcelona. However, he played down the significance of his record in the Spanish capital.
“My record here was with another team, in a different situation and in a different time,” he said. “It has nothing to do with Bayern.”
If passed fit, Cristiano Ronaldo will be the biggest threat to Guardiola’s side.
However, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he will not risk the Portugal star unless he is fully fit.
Ronaldo has not played any competitive football since Madrid’s 3-0 quarter-final first-leg win over Borussia Dortmund on April 2, coming off in the 80th minute of that match with an injury to his left knee.
He only returned to full training on Monday.
Last year Barcelona fielded Lionel Messi against Bayern in a Champions League semi-final when the Argentinian had not fully recovered from a hamstring problem, but Ancelotti vowed not to take any chances with Ronaldo, who is the top scorer in this season’s competition with 14 goals in nine matches.
“Cristiano trained normally today, he’s trained well in the last few days and tomorrow he’s going to have more tests and then we’ll make our decision,” Ancelotti said.
“If everyone is everyone is certain he can play without any problems at all, then of course he will play. I am confident he will play, but we’re going to make the decision tomorrow.”
The Italian coach hinted he might opt against starting Ronaldo at the Bernabeu, with next week’s return game at the Allianz Arena in mind.
He added: “If there’s any risk of a relapse he won’t play. We have to remember that this tie is not going to be decided tomorrow. We may be able to gain an advantage from the home leg, but the really decisive game is next Tuesday in Munich.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
