Monday, 24th June, 2013
Pep Guardiola’s German may not be up to scratch but the Spaniard insists he is ready for the challenge of endearing himself to Bayern Munich alongside the challenge of earning them more trophies.
Guardiola was named Bayern Munich boss in January this year, amid interest from Chelsea, and the Spaniard will take the reins on a three-year contract with the treble winners.
Guardiola had been spending time in New York with his family, as he took a year away from the game having enjoyed much success with Barcelona.
His four years with the Catalan club yielded three La Liga titles and two Champions League triumphs, alongside various cup victories.
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However, such is his desire to win more that he was reported to have been taking intense lessons in German in the months leading up to his unveiling.
In a press conference broadcast on the club’s site and attended by over 300 journalists, Guardiola, speaking in German, said: "After my sabbatical, I’m ready. This is a new challenge for me. I had a wonderful time at Barca but needed a new challenge.
"Please forgive my bad German. I was in New York and it is not easy to learn German there. I promise I will improve it!
"I chose Bayern Munich because of the players and the club’s history. I always considered them to be one of the world’s biggest clubs.
"It is a gift, a blessing, not just to be here, but also that [the club] worked so that I can be here."
However, the former Barcelona player insists carrying Bayern Munich’s legacy forward is the biggest task lying ahead of him.
"I have to live with the fact that [they] have won the treble", he added. "There is always pressure on the coach.
"[But] I am ready for the challenge, regardless of whether [they] are treble winners."
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummnigge insisted the process to bring Guardiola had been protracted, given the interest he generated among major European clubs.
"We really had to convince Pep Guardiola to come here", he said. "The philosophy of the club really spoke to him."
And club president Uli Hoeness shared the sentiment, adding: "I visited Pep’s apartment in New York and after we spoke for five minutes, I knew he was the right man for the job."
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