Pep Guardiola will still be reporting in for work at the Säbener Strasse for a few days, before signing off for a well-deserved vacation. In the midst of grueling talks to plan the 2014/15 campaign, the head coach took time out for an exclusive chat with FCB.tv, reviewing his first year in charge of the Bavarian giants. fcbayern.de presents excerpts from the interview.
Pep Guardiola on...
...Claudio Pizarro’s contract extension:
“It's what I, the club and Claudio wanted. I’m very happy because he’s a great player with so much experience. Claudio knows the Bundesliga better than anyone, he’s a fantastic guy to have in the dressing room and on the training ground, and he has so much quality. He’s been truly outstanding over the last two to three months.”
...the double-winning season:
“It wasn’t an easy season, especially because of the mental aspect. Normally after you’ve won the lot you lack a mental edge. You want to run hard and you want to win everything, but you just lack a little bit of intensity. Maintaining your focus for the weekly home and away rhythm of the Bundesliga is hard. So I’m very proud of my players.”
...his summary of the 2013/14 campaign:
“Everything was new for me, I had new players, a new country, new values, new opponents in the Bundesliga. And after everything the team achieved last season under Jupp, how was I to maintain this level? So it wasn’t easy right from the start. But turning to our achievements, I’m very satisfied with four trophies. That's not easy in a first season.”
...the World Cup in Brazil:
“My main hope is that my players enjoy this outstanding experience. I might go to Brazil but only briefly, maybe for a game or two.”
Watch the interview in full on FCB.tv!
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