Klopp: Guardiola will find it tougher at Bayern Munich

Feb 12, 2013 7:25:00 PM

The 45-year-old believes having the world's best players meant the former Barcelona coach's job was easier at Camp Nou, while likening his side to the Liga leaders

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says Pep Guardiola will not find things as easy at Bayern Munich as he did in his time at Barcelona.

The 45-year-old will go head-to-head with the former Blaugrana boss when he takes over at the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, but Klopp believes he must now prove he can work with lesser players before he can be judged.

"Most impressive is how Barca play in attack. [Lionel] Messi scores and shouts for joy as if it is the first time," he told El Pais.

Xavi gets every ball like it were the first of his life. And you get the feeling that he would take the ball and caress it and just keep playing. The same with [Andres] Iniesta. [Sergio] Busquets anticipates in midfield, responsible for the work.

"[Carles] Puyol is incredible, a shocking hairstyle but a super player, a human being first, with a big heart. He breaks his elbow and is back playing in two weeks.

"With that motivation they fight for victory. That is a model. I read an interview with Xavi. They asked if he wanted to coach and he said ‘I am not in such a hurry, let me enjoy my playing days.’

"And you think ‘You have played football every other day for 20 years and you still want to continue?' That says it all about the game, but also about Xavi.

"They are the best in the world. And that was prompted by Pep, that is clear. He did an excellent job.

"But he will not always have players like that at every club and he knows it. Now he has to teach us how to do it when the players are somewhat less good."

Klopp is one of a number of coaches who have been tipped to replace Jose Mourinho when he leaves Real Madrid, but he revealed his belief that his Dortmund side are more similar to Barcelona than their Liga rivals.

He added: "We’re closer to Barca for the pressure. For the high defence. Everyone wants to play like Barcelona, but it is not possible. Barca could not do it without Xavi, Iniesta and Messi. But their defensive plan is perfect.

"Maybe that’s also the problem for [Jose] Mourinho - that although he has thought a lot more defensively, they have been years without signing a defender, because no-one is interested in who plays at the back.

"We want to be very, very fast with the mind and the legs. Everything at full speed. There is no defending against what you do quickly and accurately."

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