PEP GUARDIOLA quit Bayern Munich after being denied the chance to sign SEVEN big-name stars, according to reports in Germany.
The Spanish boss, 49, spent three trophy-laden years at the Bundesliga giants between 2013 and 2016.
Pep Guardiola quit Bayern Munich after refusing to be backed in the transfer market, say reports in GermanyCredit: Reuters
But Guardiola refused to sign a new deal and even agreed to join Manchester City midway through his final season.
And Bild have now revealed Guardiola quit Bayern due to the frustration of not being allowed to sign his top transfer targets.
While Guardiola won the Bundesliga title every season at the club, he was left disappointed to have never won the Champions League there.
The now-Etihad chief had hoped the following seven players could have changed all that…
NEYMAR
Neymar was one of Guardiola’s top targets at Bayern MunichCredit: AFP
GUARDIOLA and Neymar never crossed paths at Barcelona, with the Brazilian joining a year after Pep left the Nou Camp.
But the former Bayern chief was a huge fan of his work and had hoped to sign him.
Bild claim he was advised to sign Gonzalo Castro and Hakan Calhanoglu, instead. He didn’t.
PAUL POGBA
Pep Guardiola is now a local rival of one-time target Paul PogbaCredit: Alamy Live News
THE now-Manchester United star was well on his way to becoming one of the best midfielders on the planet during his time at Juventus.
And it was then Guardiola hoped to sign him, but being left short financially.
Guardiola is now finally in the same city as Pogba – but on the wrong side of the tracks.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Guardiola had to quit Bayern to link up with De BruyneCredit: Reuters
GUARDIOLA did eventually get to team up with De Bruyne – but he had to quit Bayern to do so.
The former Munich boss saw the Belgian up close in the 2014-15 season when the playmaking star was at Wolfsburg.
Pep was never given the cash to sign him and when De Bruyne headed to the Etihad, it’s surely no coincidence Guardiola followed him just months later.
LUIS SUAREZ
Guardiola had hoped to sign Suarez while he was at the Allianz ArenaCredit: AFP
ANOTHER Barcelona star to never cross paths with Guardiola, Suarez joined from Liverpool in 2014, two years after Pep left.
But Guardiola was adamant Suarez could be the man to help them lift the Champions League.
However, he has remained at the Nou Camp, enjoying a fruitful relationship with Lionel Messi.
RAHEEM STERLING
Guardiola finally linked up with Sterling at Man City and brought out the best in himCredit: Reuters
A YOUNGSTER full of potential at Liverpool and then Man City while Guardiola was still at Bayern, the Spaniard clearly saw something in Sterling.
While the England ace showed great promise, his overall game left much to be desired.
It’s no coincidence Sterling’s game was taken to the next level after Guardiola arrived at Man City.
Bayern might be kicking themselves for not signing Sterling – not only for missing out on a top player, but for it playing a role in Pep leaving.
EDEN HAZARD
Guardiola wanted Hazard at Bayern Munich during his Chelsea daysCredit: EPA
HAZARD was enjoying some of his best years at Chelsea when Guardiola was at the Allianz Arena.
Despite often being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, Bayern were never considered in the running for Hazard.
And that left Guardiola fuming, knowing he would have been the perfect replacement for an ageing Franck Ribery.
MARCO VERRATTI
Marco Verratti was another big-name star on Pep’s wish-list at BayernCredit: AFP
THE Italian midfielder has been at Paris Saint-Germain since 2012.
And Guardiola was keen to land him early during his Bayern tenure, but wasn’t backed financially.
Verratti is still at PSG to this day, while Guardiola is looking to sign the “new Verratti”, Edouard Michut, this summer – still itching to fill that void.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
