Pep Guardiola has failed Bayern Munich, says former forward Ivica Olic

“Guardiola was knocked out of three successive Champions League semis and by Bayern’s high standards that’s a failure,” Olic was quoted as saying by the online edition of Croatian daily Sporstke Novosti (sporstke.jutarnji.hr).

“Maybe people at Bayern will now say he won a haul of domestic trophies, but given the strength of the club’s roster, that’s an accomplishment they should take for granted.”

Guardiola, who took over from Jupp Heynckes after Bayern had won the domestic double and the Champions League in 2013, will join Premier League side Manchester City next season.

Bayern are on the verge of securing a record fourth successive league title, their third under Guardiola, but Olic believes few of the club’s fans are likely to be impressed.

Bayern lost to Atletico on away goals after Tuesday’s 2-1 home win fell short following the 1-0 first-leg defeat by the Spanish side, whose coach Diego Simeone outfoxed Guardiola in Olic’s opinion.

“Yes, Atletico play destructive football but they knew exactly what they wanted and in this chess game Simeone made all the right moves,” said Olic, who played in two losing Champions League finals for Bayern before leaving in 2012 to join VfL Wolfsburg.

“Guardiola stuck to his philosophy and it failed to land a European title, although he had to deal with the burden of expectation from the start.

“He came after Heynckes who won it all, hence Guardiola could only emulate his success. But he didn’t and won’t be remembered.”