Former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld says Pep Guardiola is a “tactics freak” but believes he could still deliver the Treble this season.
Guardiola took the Bayern job after Jupp Heynckes had led the team to success in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Pokal in the 2012-13 season, but the former Barcelona boss has so far only won domestic silverware ahead of his exit in the summer.
Hitzfeld, who won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern, said there are deficiencies in the Catalan’s management.
“Guardiola focuses only on the tactics,” Hitzfeld told Blick. “He is a tactics freak who engages in match situations day and night, but in his interpersonal relationships he has not focused on the team.
“He has had almost no meetings. He has sealed himself off — even from the media.”
However, he added that Guardiola is capable of matching his predecessor’s remarkable final season.
“For now, Jupp Heynckes is more successful than Guardiola, but he can still put that right — he can win three trophies, just like Heynckes won the Treble.”
Bayern have already appointed Carlo Ancelotti as their next boss and Hitzfeld, who has tipped Guardiola to join Manchester City, says there is no need to be concerned that the coach did not prolong his three-year contract.
“Bayern Munich has no need to be disappointed. Bayern is a huge club that can afford any coach in the world.
“[Bayern CEO] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already said in late November that the world doesn’t end when the coach leaves — the next coach comes along.
“In other words, Bayern have no problem whatsoever.”
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