Maradona tips Guardiola for Bayern Munich success

07-Mar-2013 1:34:00 AM

The Argentine icon has tipped the former Blaugrana boss to hit the ground running at the Allianz Arena

Former Argentina coach Diego Maradona has tipped Pep Guardiola to hit the ground running when he replaces Jupp Heynckes in the Bayern Munich hotseat in June.

Maradona's managerial career has yet to hit the heights he enjoyed as a player, but the Napoli and Boca Juniors legend claims to recognise a great leader when he sees one.

"He will win titles in his first year with Bayern," the 52-year-old told Marca.

"Bayern are happy as they are guaranteed [success]. Pep is number one, no matter where he is."

Guardiola embarked on a 12-month sabbatical from football after leaving Barca at the end of last season following four years in charge at Camp Nou, in which he won three Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

He has since been linked with a move to a host of different clubs, before Bayern announced they had won the race for his signature; revealing in January that he would link up with the Bavarians for the 2013-2014 season.

Bayern currently lead the Bundesliga by 17 points and are strong favourites to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Arsenal, having beaten them 3-1 in the first-leg of their last 16 tie.