7 trophies. 3 years. By no one's definition of success can Pep Guardiola's three-year spell at Bayern Munich be classified as a failure. Yet, there are some, in and outside Germany who are doing just that simply because of his inability to win the UEFA Champions League.
While it is true that when he signed on to manage the German giants, he would have hoped to win Europe's elite competition, his failure to do so, doesn't make him a failure as a manager, by any stretch of the imagination, even with his lofty standards.
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The Champions League conundrum
While it is true that he didn't win the UEFA Champions League in his three years at the club, that alone doesn't constitute a failure on his part. In fact, the mere fact that not winning the Champions League in three years, despite reaching the semi-final in every one of those seasons constitutes an increased level of expectation that wasn't present before.
Although Bayern had won the treble in 2013, they weren't one of the European elite when that happened. They were never one of the favourites for the Champions League at the start of each season.
Yet now, Bayern along with Real Madrid and Barcelona are the three favourites before the start of each season. And that constitutes a level of consistency and brings along with it fear of the club that hitherto never existed.
A measure of just how big the club had become is the mere fact that clubs want to avoid Bayern at all cost and drawing them is considered as a lost cause in many cases. That has never been the case in the last decade, despite all of Bayern's success, until Guardiola arrived.
To blame Pep for the German giants' failure to win the European trophy is missing the point entirely. Thomas Müller, for one, remains adamant that the coach isn't at fault for anything. “I find it crude and inconsiderate that people blame him (for not winning the Champions League),” he said. “It seems to me that those who do haven’t been paying attention for the whole three years, and not seen how the team have developed and played football”.
Others might yet question why Bayern, a side that won the treble when the Spaniard took over, hasn't won a Champions League, despite all the additions to the squad, but it is not as though he has been a complete failure in that aspect as well. Reaching three successive semi-finals in Europe's elite competition shouldn't be taken lightly.
Neither should the mentality that he has helped bring to the side that has won 80% of matches and averaged 2.52 points per game in the German Bundesliga. In no knock-out tournament did he not qualify for the semi-finals and they have now won four league titles on the bounce.
Leaving behind a legacy
While his domination in Bundesliga might be put down to the lack of competition and the constant pillaging of the best players from the rest of the league, the side's consistency in Europe and their ability to make 4-0 victories seem mundane just highlight the next level that he has taken this Bayern side to.
On the pitch, his success is not merely reflected in trophies but also in his ability to create a style of football that hasn't been present since the days of Louis Van Gaal. And while Guardiola's style isn't everyone's cup of tea, it is recognisable and attractive, the same cannot be said of Jupp Heynckes' treble-winners, who relied primarily on the individual rather than the collective.
A sign of just how good or bad any manager has been is reflected in the team that he leaves behind for the next man coming in. And in that regard, there can be little doubt that Guardiola leaves behind a much better side than the one he inherited from Heynckes.
And when you look at the development of players, under him, especially David Alaba, you know that he has taken them to another level, even if it isn't reflected entirely in terms of trophies. The Austrian is the perfect example of just what Guardiola has done to the players at the club.
While Bayern always knew that he was a special talent and Van Gaal had already made him one of the best left-backs in the world, not many knew he would develop into this versatile player who is capable of not only playing in multiple positions but also excelling in each role that he is given.
During his tenure, Alaba has played as a left back, left winger, central midfielder, central defender, an inside forward and at times even as an attacking midfielder. And the Austrian is quick to credit the Spaniard for the player he has become.
“He pushes everybody, every day, in a good way,” he says. “Especially me. I’ve been getting better with every year he’s been here, because of him. But I didn’t know myself that I could play as central defender.”
“It’s like he reinvented football," he continues. "He thinks about football 24 hours a day, he’s always explaining to us on the screen what’s the best way to attack, best way to defend, the best way to play with the ball. We wouldn’t be as successful without him. He’s given us the best tools – you can see it in our game. His detailed preparation makes it easier for us to beat opponents. And to beat them better as well.”
Global appeal
For all of Guardiola's achievements on the pitch, his biggest impact has been off it. The exposure that he has brought to the club, by virtue of being one of the premier managers of his era has been simply unprecedented.
Although their fans won't admit it, Bayern Munich haven't been a club that is popular outside of Germany. Few remember the treble-winning Bayern team. Fewer still outside of Germany, used to consider the Bavarians as anything other than just another team in the Champions League.
Now, there are a lot more people who talk about them. There are even fans halfway around the world thanks to Guardiola and the continued success that he has managed to achieve. Even if people are talking about the fact that they haven't won a Champions League in three years, they are at least talking about Bayern.
Something that wasn't always the case in the pre-Guardiola era. And that is why, the 45-year-old should be celebrated for his time in Bavaria and not ridiculed. Perhaps, his presence and all that he did will be felt more keenly once he leaves. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
