Netzer: Pep to improve Bayern

Gunter Netzer has congratulated Bayern Munich on securing the German title and said he expects further improvement under Pep Guardiola.

Bayern secured a 1-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt – an 11th consecutive win – to reach an unassailable 20-point lead over Borussia Dortmund and win a 23rd Bundesliga crown.

Writing in his column for Bild, former Borussia Moenchengladbach playmaker Netzer praised the quality of Bayern while stressing he anticipates that they will continue to develop under the former Barcelona manager Guardiola.

“The Bavarians have responded to last season superbly and with great success,” the 68-year-old wrote.

“But the development of this team is not complete. To help achieve this, they have for the coming season rightly removed a good coach (Jupp Heynckes) and in Pep Guardiola taken on probably the best coach in the world.

“He helped (Barca) to play the best football in the world. And if you combine this with the possibilities at Bayern then, sooner or later, there will be an improvement.”

Netzer, casting his eye over the champions’ squad, was particularly keen to highlight the impact of Javi Martinez, who arrived from Athletic Bilbao last summer for a domestic record fee of 40 million euros.

“Bayern have, over the past decades, been reputable and very successful,” Netzer said.

“And that puts them in a position to do business, with Javi Martinez the most expensive transfer in Bundesliga history.

“It was a successful undertaking. Martinez has helped the team gel and to stabilise its structure.”

Netzer was also quick to add he sees even more success for the impressive Bavarians this season with the DFB Pokal and the Champions League still winnable.

“The Bayern players were able to get used to the idea of winning the championship for a long time,” he added.

“That could have led to inefficiency but at Bayern it sharpened the senses and that title was not enough for them. They feel that more is possible. Therefore, they have also placed a lot of focus on other competitions too. They legitimately aspire to more.”