BERLIN — Bayern Munich has dismissed growing speculation ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is set to succeed Jupp Heynckes as the German giant's head coach for the 2013-14 season. “It's all nonsense, we will first of all talk with Jupp Heynckes, he is our one and only contact,” insisted Bayern's media director Markus Hoerwick. Sky Italia Monday reported the 41-year-old Spaniard, who won the Champions League title in 2009 and 2011 with Barcelona, has decided to coach Bayern next season. With Heynckes' two-year contract to expire in June, rumors about Guardiola taking charge in Munich next season have been circulating for the best part of a year. German daily Die Welt contacted Guardiola's agent Josep Maria Orobitg by phone Tuesday morning but his reply was inconclusive. “Guardiola, FC Bayern, do not talk, impossible,” was his brief reply before hanging up. German magazine Kicker have reported Heynckes, 67, will decide his future this month, rather than in March as previously stated. Guardiola, who is living in New York with his family since resigning as Barcelona coach last year, has only said: “It would be disrespectful if I were to say something concrete to a club who currently employs a coach.” Former Bayern goalkeeper and Germany captain Oliver Kahn said Guardiola would be a good fit at the Bundesliga giant. “Of course it makes sense to take on someone like him,” said the 43-year-old, who retired in 2008, told a news conference in Hamburg. “Guardiola is very interesting, because of all the success he has had with Barcelona.” But Kahn did exercise some caution. “At Barcelona, Guardiola was very successful and he absorbed a philosophy. But I wonder, would that work at another club?” Barca wary of Guardiola's attempts to poach players away Barcelona, meanwhile, has warned off former coach Pep Guardiola from trying to lure away any of its players when he finally decides which club he is going to coach next season. “For all Barca fans it will be tough to see Pep coaching another team, but we will get used to it,” Barca President Sandro Rosell told Spanish radio station RAC.1. “I hope he focuses his attentions on other players, and not ours, when it comes to building his new project.” Rosell went on to say that recent unsuccessful approaches from Manchester City proved that it would be difficult to tempt players and staff away from the La Liga leader. Former Barca director Ferran Soriano and sports director Txiki Begiristain now work with the Premier League club “I have confidence in our players and I don't see any of them wanting leave,” he said. “There have already been offensives from City at all levels of the structures of our club but nobody wants to leave. They have tried to fish here but no one was biting.” — Agencies
