BERLIN – German giants Bayern Munich is in talks to sign former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola when current boss Jupp Heynckes steps down in 2013, mass circulation Bild reported Tuesday.
Bayern’s director of football Christian Nerlinger held talks in May with Guardiola’s brother Pere, who is also his advisor, on the sidelines of the Spanish Cup Final, which Barcelona won 3-0, Bild said.
“The world-class manager is said to have signaled his interest,” the paper wrote.
Guardiola, 41, delivered three Spanish league trophies, two Champions Leagues, two FIFA World Club Cups, two UEFA Supercups, three Spanish Supercups and two Spanish Cup victories in four years as coach at the Nou Camp.
Heynckes has a contract running until 2013. Bild said this was “perfect timing.”
“Guardiola wants to take a year out to recharge his batteries and study. It’s perfect timing ... he can then learn German at his leisure,” said the paper, usually well informed on comings and goings at Bayern’s Allianz Arena.
Bayern defender Holger Badstuber, who is with the Germany team at Euro 2012 and is set to face Greece in Friday’s quarterfinal, said Heynckes’ boots will be hard to fill.
“It’s news to me, but we have a legendary coach in Jupp Heynckes who has wealth of experience and whoever comes after him is for the board to decide,” said Badstuber.
Former Greece, US national
coach Panagoulias dies
Greece’s football federation says Alketas Panagoulias, who coached the national team at its first World Cup and European Championship, has died. He was 78.
Greek media reports say Panagoulias died Monday at his home in Vienna, Virginia.
Panagoulias coached Greece at the 1980 European Championship and 1994 World Cup, where the team was eliminated after conceding 10 goals and scoring none.
A former Aris Thessaloniki player, Panagoulias also led the United States national team from 1983-85 and the US Olympic side.
Greece’s players will wear black armbands during the Euro 2012 quarterfinal against Germany in Poland Friday. — Agencies
