Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola insists he is not
trying to create a replica of the side he coached at former club Barcelona.
The 42-year-old had a trophy-laden four-year spell in
charge at the Camp Nou, winning 14 trophies including three La Liga titles and
two UEFA Champions Leagues.
After departing the Spanish champions at the end of the
2011-12 campaign, Guardiola took a sabbatical before taking over a Bayern side
that completed a treble of the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal last
season in July.
The Spaniard has overseen an impressive start to the
season, with Bayern winning seven and drawing two of their nine league fixtures
and taking nine points from their three Champions League games.
Parallels have been drawn in style between Guardiola's
all-conquering Barca outfit and his new side, but the coach has insisted he is
not looking to emulate his former team.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: "I
don't want to transform Bayern into a new Barca.
"The mentality is different, and the style, the
environment, the culture, the players too. This club has won too much to copy
others.
"I came here because I wanted to coach these
players.
"Bayern Munich are bigger than my ideas. I have only
to maintain last season's level, of an unbeatable team that played in an
incredible way.
"A coach must understand the qualities of his men
and be able to take advantage of these."
Bayern continue their Bundesliga campaign when they
welcome Hertha Berlin to the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
Culled from Four four two
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