Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness lifted the lid on how the club signed Pep Guardiola as Coach, commenting on the ease of negotiations.
The former Barcelona Coach was confirmed in January as having signed a three-year deal in December 2012 to replace Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Arena from the 2013-14 season.
“I went to New York to meet Guardiola personally on December 18. I went to his home, very near Central Park. We were like family after 30 seconds,” Hoeness recollected to Marca today.
“I took the contract with me and when I was there, after two hours, he said to me: ‘Do I have to sign it now?’ I said: ‘That would be a great idea.’ And he signed it.
“Guardiola has a very open mind. He won't have any problems talking about football with Rummenigge and I. We're the only two who talk about football matters.
“And I guarantee him we'll never interfere with his work. Pep will earn a lot of money in Munich, but he would have earned more in the Premier League.
“What he liked about us was the club philosophy, which is more like Barca’s.
“Which Spanish players would I sign if I could? Iniesta, Jordi Alba… But we already have very good players at Bayern.
“I think there are only one or two Barca and Real Madrid players who would start for Bayern.”