New coach Pep Guardiola on Monday vowed to maintain the treble success Bayern Munich enjoyed under predecessor Jupp Heynckes, as the Spaniard was officially unveiled as the Champions League winners' new coach.
Guardiola's appointment, announced in January, has created considerable hype in Germany, amid hopes that the man who took Barcelona to 14 titles in four seasons will bring glamour to the Bundesliga.
“At the top clubs, you are always under pressure but I believe in myself and I accept this challenge without a problem,” the 42-year-old said in German, which he has been studying for the last six months. “I will, of course, make changes, but I want to keep the level that Bayern has already achieved.”
Guardiola has his work cut out to match last season's achievements when Bayern won the treble of European, cup and league titles, plus the pre-season German Super Cup, under Heynckes. “I have had no contact with Jupp Heynckes but I hope to speak with him in the next few days,” said Guardiola.
"I have a lot of respect for his achievements and it would be good to have his opinion. It’s an honour to be his successor.”
{{/usCountry}}"I have a lot of respect for his achievements and it would be good to have his opinion. It’s an honour to be his successor.”
{{/usCountry}}He has brought four of his backroom staff from his Barcelona days in assistant coach Domenec Torrent, scout and video analyst Carles Planchart and fitness coach Lorenzo Buenaventura, plus advisor Estiarte Manel. “It's great that these people were willing to follow me. This is a challenge also for the families, I hope that we manage it well," said Guardiola.