Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:43:00

Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer understands
Jupp Heynckes’ annoyance over the media attention directed towards
the summer arrival of Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard will replace the retiring Heynckes at the helm of
the Bavarian giants, who under the 67-year-old are nine points
clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Guardiola’s impending arrival has overshadowed the current
incumbent’s work at Bayern, much to the frustration of
Heynckes.

Beckenbauer, who had two spells in charge of Bayern, knows the
pressures of managing the Bavarians only too well and sympathises
with Heynckes’ frustration that the current side are not credit
their form deserves.

“Definitely! Jupp puts up a winning streak like never before –
and then the talk is only of Guardiola. That would annoy me too,”
Beckenbauer told German newspaper Bild, before explaining why he
felt Guardiola elected to join Bayern and the challenges he will
face at the Allianz Arena.

“Bayern are a greater challenge for Guardiola than Chelsea. We
have no (Roman) Abramovich (the English club’s billionaire owner),”
he said.

“In Bavaria there is also the chance for Guardiola to improve
something. We need fast switching play, to hold the majority of
possession, put the opponent under constant pressure. Dortmund are
currently closer to Barcelona than we are “