FC Bayern Munchen News

Neymar has pledged to stay at Santos following the latest round of rumours regarding his future in Brazil.

Following the news that Pep Guardiola will take charge of Bayern Munich from next season, a report in Friday’s edition of AS suggested the young forward could join the former Barcelona boss in Bavaria.

However, although he has the utmost respect for the 41-year-old, Neymar insists he is not in a rush to realise his European ambitions and wants to continue his development with the Peixe.

“He [Guardiola] is a great coach, one of the best in the world, and yes, I have a desire to one day work with him, as with the other great coaches [in world football],” he told reporters.

“But I will say it again: I want to carry on playing for Santos. I’m happy here.”

The 20-year-old, who recently denied that he had agreed a deal to join Barca either in the summer or next year, has a release clause of €70 million.

Tito Vilanova has revealed he is unconcerned by speculation about Barcelona players wanting to leave to join former coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard, formerly of the Catalans, signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga leaders which has sparked suggestions that some players from the Blaugrana could join him at the Allianz Arena.

However, Vilanova insists he is unfazed by the rumours, but did say it is a huge boost for the German league that Guardiola will coach there.

“I’m not worried that some players want to go to Guardiola’s Bayern. I’m not worried, they have contracts,” Vilanova told reporters.

 “It’s great news for the Bundesliga. They are one of the great teams that Pep could have gone to. He will help German football a lot. The best coach in the world has to be coaching, and next season he will.

“Pep has a method of coaching, like all the coaches that have come through at Barca. He doesn’t necessarily have to give that up.”

Guardiola implemented a certain style at the Camp Nou outfit but Vilanova does not believe that he will apply the same brand of football in Germany.

He added: “I don’t think people will expect Bayern to play the same as Barcelona, there will be similar aspects but they won’t have to play the same way.

“Barca have always used players from their cantera, I don’t know about Bayern’s youth system, so I don’t know if Pep will be able to use it.

“What I do know is that he has a method of working. It’s not necessary to transfer Barca’s system to Bayern, but I am sure that there will be certain aspects that he can offer them. Bayern have won four Champions Leagues without playing like Barcelona.”

Meanwhile, Vilanova confirmed that striker David Villa is working on his fitness but will not be ready for the game with Real Sociedad on Saturday, while Eric Abidal is training again.

Barca are top of La Liga on 11 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Jupp Heynckes has revealed he is pleased a “smart man” like Pep Guardiola is going to replace him at Bayern Munich.

Guardiola, formerly of Barcelona, signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga leaders on Wednesday which will see him takeover at the club in the summer.

And Heynckes, who will be retiring at the end of the current campaign to make way for the Spaniard, believes they could not have found a more suitable candidate for the job.

“[I’m being succeeded] by a younger coach who has been very successful. I think it’s good. My successor is a smart man. He has analysed the top European teams and has recognised that Bayern will be the team with whom he can have the most success,” he told reporters.

“I’ll be 68 in the summer, that’s already past retirement age. If everyone worked until that age they’d have a nice pension saved. It was clear to me in the summer that I basically wanted to stop.”

When asked about the possibility of managing in England, the former Germany international was not too keen on the idea.

He added: “As a coach I would not go to England either if I didn’t know how things would look like in four months’ time or if I don’t know how the owner will react.”

Heynckes’ side are currently top of the Bundesliga, nine points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League.

EXCLUSIVE
By Tom J Doyle

Ray Wilkins thinks Chelsea interim boss Rafa Benitez could have a future at the club beyond his current deal after Pep Guardiola snubbed the Champions League holders to agree a deal with Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The former Barcelona coach left the Catalan giants and took a sabbatical from football last summer, but despite speculation linking him to Stamford Bridge, he signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga leaders.

Despite ruling the Blues out of the Premier League title race, Wilkins suggests the Spaniard could still earn a permanent role at Stamford Bridge – but believes he will need to win a trophy to stand any chance of staying.

“It’s very difficult, [Benitez] has to win this year. If he wins, he’s got half a chance,” he told Goal.com.

“He’s got the Europa Cup, the Capital One Cup – albeit they’re 2-0 down – but their away form is splendid – or they’ve got to win the FA Cup.

“I think the decision of Pep Guardiola to go to Bayern Munich has probably dented the enthusiasm of some Chelsea supporters and given Rafa a better opportunity of possibly filling the post full-time.”

The former Blues and England Under-21 assistant boss feels the title is long gone for his former club – a belief only strengthened by their capitulation to Southampton on Wednesday night to gift the visitors a 2-2 draw.

“I thought their title chances had gone a couple of weeks ago when they lost to QPR at home, and [the 2-2] convinces me even more having only taken a point after leading 2-0, so I don’t think they’ve got a chance of winning the league.

“The highest they can finish is second but I think they’re vying for third if I’m honest.”

Wilkins revealed his disappointment at Guardiola’s decision to make the move to Germany rather than the Premier League, and believes a move to England may have been a better bet for the 41-year-old.

“I’m saddened that Guardiola’s chosen Germany over us because I think we have an amazing product. We want the best players and managers and coaches so from that aspect I’m disappointed, but these things happen,” he added.

“He’s obviously looked at his options whilst being on his little sabbatical and decided Bayern Munich is the best route forward. I know he speaks perfect English but whether his German is too hot I’ve no idea.”
 
And while Sir Alex Ferguson declared he has “two or three years” left at Old Trafford, Wilkins was quick to dampen speculation of Guardiola potentially succeeding the Scot at Old Trafford after his Bayern deal runs out.

He said: “I think Sir Alex has got a long while left in him, he’s produced so many sides it’s unbelievable.”

Ray Wilkins has been appointed Coral’s Director of Football this January. Ray is signing people looking to ‘move for the money’ to Coral, where there are more top prices than anywhere else on the high street. To find out more visit www.coral.co.uk/moveforthemoney

Former Germany international Bernd Schuster believes that the arrival of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich at the end of this season could lure more high-profile names to the Bundesliga.

Stars such as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus already ply their trade in Germany’s top flight, and the 52-year-old believes that more big names could follow suit in the not too distant future following the Catalan’s decision to snub England in favour of Bavaria.

“I can imagine that Guardiola’s appointment could draw more high-profile names. Football’s big stars will have noticed that such a big name is moving to the Bundesliga,” he was quoted as saying by Welt.

“I think that a number of big names could follow in his footsteps. Pep’s arrival will only make Germany an even more appealing destination.”

Bayern have already been linked with players such as Neymar and Thiago Alcantara since the appointment of Guardiola was made public.