German football chiefs hail Guardiola-to-Bayern as Bundesliga boost

17-Jan-2013 12:40:00 AM

The ex-Barcelona boss will replace Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Arena in the summer, and the Hannover president and the DFL's chief executive see it as a positive for the league

Pep Guardiola's appointment as the new Bayern Munich boss will provide a huge boost to the Bundesliga, according to German football chiefs Andreas Rettig and Martin Kind.

The former Barcelona head coach will take over from current Allianz Arena incumbent Jupp Heyckes at the end of the season on a three-year deal.

DFL's chief executive Rettig believes that international football fans will pay more attention to the BuLi now that a famous face like Guardiola is set to coach in Germany.

He said to Bild: "I congratulate Bayern at signing Pep Guardiola. This once again shows the great international significance of the German football league.

"Guardiola is the international interest in the Bundesliga surely rise."

Hannover president Kind also congratulated his league rivals, and believes that the club have shown their financial muscle by securing the 41-year-old coach's commitment to add to the signing of Javi Martinez for €40 million last summer.

He told Sky Sports News: "Bayern Munich have already shown with the transfer of Martinez that they clearly demonstrate they are strong financially and in the sporting department.

"Bayern want to be number one in Germany, and they want the league to grow internationally successful."