Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has hit out a mole in the dressing room for hurting the club’s chances this season. The Bundesliga side need just a win to wrap up the league title but the club was knocked out of the Champions League semi-final for the third season in a row after Atletico Madrid eliminated them on away goals on Tuesday night.
The Catalan manager had reportedly been furious with the club’s medical staff and was involved in a row with the physios after the semi-final loss. German newspaper Bild reported that the confrontation almost became a physical argument.
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Guardiola was unhappy with the time taken for players such as Arjen Robben to regain fitness while Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin returned to the squad for the second leg. Godin had missed the first leg but made a swift return for the Rojiblancos’ crucial second leg at the Allianz Arena.
Guardiola confirms there was an argument with Bayern’s medical staff
At a press conference ahead of Bayern’s game against Ingolstadt, Guardiola was asked about the incident. And the 45-year-old manager admitted that it did happen.
“Usually, what happens inside the dressing room remains inside the dressing room,” Guardiola said.
“Whoever has spoken has done it to hit me. But I’m not here next season anyway so it’s not my problem, but Bayern’s.
“It’s happened plenty of times over these past three years.”
This is not the first time Guardiola has hit out at the Bavarian club’s medical staff. Just over a year ago, the club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt had quit after the medical staff was blamed for Bayern’s loss to Porto in the Champions League.
Müller-Wohlfahrt had been at the club since 1977 – a period of 38 years. When he left, he claimed that the “bond of trust had been damaged”.
Guardiola explained that this was how he handled matters at the club but claimed someone was out to hurt him.
“It’s normal for me to talk to my players and staff and give them my opinion,” Guardiola explained.
“But there are people here who are talking because they want to hurt me. Maybe this person will still be here next season and clearly they haven’t realised that they are not damaging me, but the club and the team. I won’t be here, so it’s the club’s problem.”
Guardiola is set to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City next season.
Guardiola not bothered by ‘failure’ tag
Critics have stated that Guardiola’s reign at Munich has been a failure of sorts after he failed to win the Champions League title. He had taken over from Jupp Heynckes whose squad had won the treble but had failed to fulfil the squad’s potential.
Even the club’s former forward Ivica Olic claimed Guardiola was a failure, stating that given the strength of the club's squad, domestic titles were always expected.
“I’ve done my best here,” Guardiola stated. “But if you say that I had to win the Champions League, then I have failed. Go ahead and write that I have failed.”
