BERLIN: New coach Pep Guardiola will take European champions Bayern Munich to their pre-season training camp in north Italy today with a fierce fight for places expected, as well as uncertainty over Mario Gomez’s future.
Guardiola, 42, took over from predecessor Jupp Heynckes as Bayern coach last week and after 10 days getting to know his squad, the ex-Barcelona boss takes them to Lake Garda for a week ahead of the new season kick-off on August 9. Under Heynckes, Bayern became the first German club to win the treble of European, league and cup titles but the players will not be resting on their laurels next season.
“The competition is as tough as ever,” said Germany winger Thomas Mueller, while director of sport Matthias Sammer said everyone is starting “from scratch” with tempers expected to be frayed.
“The team has to deal with the new ideas of a new coach. I expect the players to show a great deal of attention and some sensitivity,” added Sammer.
Sammer also said Bayern will take time to adjust to Guardiola’s ideas as it remains to be seen whether he will stick with the 4-2-3-1 system which won them the treble or a 3-3-3-1 system similar to that which he used at Barcelona.
“I expect from the club, when necessary, also a bit of patience,” said Sammer. AFP
