Pep Guardiola has English league ‘fantasy’

Pep Guardiola: England dream. Picture: Getty

“I feel I am a young trainer, just 42, so later I would like to go to England,” said the Bayern Munich coach as he prepared for tonight’s Uefa Super Cup clash with Europa League holders Chelsea.

Guardiola, who replaced the Champions League-winning Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Arena in the close season, added: “For experience, to live there, but it is football fantasy. I am here for this final and that is what is important right now.”

The ex-Barcelona coach said he was grateful for the way the Bayern players helped him settle in.

“They are intelligent footballers and I feel they have helped me more than I have helped them,” said Guardiola. “In the future I hope this changes a little bit. I know the expectation is so high but I am convinced in April and May we will be up there to fight and to get the titles.”

Guardiola praised Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho, a former sparring partner when the Portuguese was at Real Madrid but played down their rivalry.

“He is always very, very good with quick counter attack. He is a master at that and everybody knows he is an excellent, excellent trainer.

“We are lucky that tomorrow the focus will be on the players. The reason why kids love the game is for the players not the coaches. I have lots and lots of respect for his career.

“I did my best in Barcelona and I will try to do my best here. The records I might remember when I’m a grandfather but not now.”

The men were often at loggerheads in Spain but Guardiola denied the battle with Mourinho was the reason for his Barcelona departure. “In four years with Barcelona we had won everything,” said the Spaniard. “That was the reason. I needed a little pause in my head. My enthusiasm at the club was not the same and that is why I decided to rest a little bit. That is why when Bayern came to me, I said I wanted to try this experience.”

Guardiola hopes playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger will shrug off a strained right ankle in time to play against Chelsea. “Bastian is better but we are going to check and evaluate his ankle,” said Guardiola.