Vilanova: Players will not follow Guardiola

18 Jan 2013 19:15:00

The Blaugrana trainer insists he is unfazed by rumours that Barcelona's first-team stars could join their former boss at Bayern Munich, as they are under contract at the club

Tito Vilanova has revealed he is unconcerned by speculation about Barcelona players wanting to leave to join former coach Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard, formerly of the Catalans, signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga leaders which has sparked suggestions that some players from the Blaugrana could join him at the Allianz Arena.

However, Vilanova insists he is unfazed by the rumours, but did say it is a huge boost for the German league that Guardiola will coach there.

“I'm not worried that some players want to go to Guardiola's Bayern. I'm not worried, they have contracts," Vilanova told reporters.

“It's great news for the Bundesliga. They are one of the great teams that Pep could have gone to. He will help German football a lot. The best coach in the world has to be coaching, and next season he will.

“Pep has a method of coaching, like all the coaches that have come through at Barca. He doesn't necessarily have to give that up."

Guardiola implemented a certain style at the Camp Nou outfit but Vilanova does not believe that he will apply the same brand of football in Germany.

He added: "I don't think people will expect Bayern to play the same as Barcelona, there will be similar aspects but they won't have to play the same way.

“Barca have always used players from their cantera, I don't know about Bayern's youth system, so I don't know if Pep will be able to use it.

"What I do know is that he has a method of working. It's not necessary to transfer Barca's system to Bayern, but I am sure that there will be certain aspects that he can offer them. Bayern have won four Champions Leagues without playing like Barcelona.”

Meanwhile, Vilanova confirmed that striker David Villa is working on his fitness but will not be ready for the game with Real Sociedad on Saturday, while Eric Abidal is training again.

Barca are top of La Liga on 11 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.