FELIX MAGATH has lashed out at Pep Guardiola – furiously insisting Lionel Messi was the real reason for Barcelona’s success during his reign.
The now-Manchester City chief won three LaLiga crowns in four seasons at the Nou Camp between 2008 and 2012.
Messi was the real reason for Guardiola’s success at Barcelona, says MagathCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Felix Magath has launched a withering attack on Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Guardiola was hailed as a genius by many for his tiki-taka style which ripped defences to pieces.
But Magath, 67, has launched a withering attack on Guardiola, saying – in recent years – it’s become all-too clear Messi was the real reason for his success.
Magath told Bild: “Messi won the titles, not Guardiola.
“Without Messi, this system has never worked as successfully for Guardiola.
“Otherwise he would have won the Champions League with Bayern [Munich] or Manchester City long ago.
“Tiki-taka only works if you have players who are technically superior to their opponents.
“For the spectator, holding the ball, as I call it, is just boring and a top team doesn’t really need it.
“In my opinion, Guardiola generally too often gets lost in trying to win a game in advance.
Guardiola has Messi to thank for his success at the Nou Camp, according to ex-Fulham chief MagathCredit: Reuters
“That tactic often ends in wrong decisions, which prevent success.”
Guardiola, 49, would go on to win the Bundesliga title in all three years he spent at Bayern Munich.
And he’s won two Premier League titles at City since arriving in 2016 – in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
However, Guardiola was unable to mastermind a hat-trick, as Liverpool ran away with the title last season.
The cracks appear to still be very much present at the Etihad this season, too.
After three games, City sit 14th in the table with just one win.
Man City were linked with a move for Messi in the summer, but the Argentine eventually decided to stay at the Nou Camp.
But City officials have already confirmed they are lining up a free transfer swoop in 2021.
Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
