Guardiola: Hard work ahead for Bayern

Pep Guardiola has warned his Bayern Munich side that they face a tough pre-season as he looks to implement his ideas on the team.

The Spaniard has taken over at the Allianz Arena after Jupp Heynckes bowed out by sealing a historic treble of Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and UEFA Champions League titles last season.

And having guided Barcelona to similar levels of success previously, Guardiola has challenged his new side to put the hard yards in to consolidate their current lofty standing in the game.

“I know it is not going to be an easy start for us,” he said.

“But we have worked very well over the past two weeks that we’ve spent together. No-one got injured, almost every player had time to play.

“Of course we still make mistakes, that’s normal. But we go step by step.”

French winger Franck Ribery was greatly enthused by the start Bayern have made under Guardiola.

He added: “Of course it is a strange to have a new coach. Things are very different and new.

“But this manager has brought in new ideas and we have got the squad to put his tactics into use. Now we have to practise and talk a lot. It’s simple.”