Mandzukic: I am leaving Bayern because of Pep

Mandzukic: I am leaving Bayern because of Pep

Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic has said he
will leave the German champions after the World
Cup because Pep Guardiola ’ s style of play does not
suit him.
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are among
the English sides believed to be monitoring the
Croatia striker’ s situation and will take
encouragement from those words.
Mandzukic was left out of the squad for Bayern ’ s
2-0 German Cup final win over Borussia Dortmund
last month as his fallout with the former Barcelona
manager became clear.
The 28- year- old told Croatian newspaper Sportske
Novosti : ‘ I met ( Bayern chairman ) Karl Heinz
Rummenigge before the cup final and told him I
wanted to leave the club .
‘ I’ ve had a fantastic time at Bayern . It ’ s a great
club and I never thought I ’ d want to leave, and
especially not at this point in time .
‘ But, let’ s be honest , I cannot play to my strengths
under Guardiola ’ s style – no matter how hard I try.
‘ I realised that after the 1- 0 defeat by Real Madrid
in the Champions League semi - final first leg and,
that being the case , it ’ s best for all parties that we
go our separate ways.
‘ Guardiola is an outstanding coach and I wish him
and everyone else at the club all the best in the
future.
‘ Bayern and the club ’ s fans will remain the best and
most emotional chapter in my career . ’
Mandzukic helped Bayern win an unprecedented
treble for a German side in his first season at the
club under Jupp Heynckes , scoring 22 goals.
Despite securing even better figures under Guardiola
– 26 goals in 48 games – rumours surfaced that
the Croat was uncomfortable playing the Spaniard ’ s
tiki-taka style and preferred a more direct approach.
Mandzukic will miss the opening match of the World
Cup for Croatia against hosts Brazil on Thursday
through suspension after he was sent off in the
second leg of November ’ s 2- 0 aggregate play -off
win over Iceland.
His striking qualities are undoubted and he will have
many suitors among Europe ’ s top clubs but
Mandzukic himself would not reveal where he will
be moving .
He said : ‘ It ’ s time for a fresh challenge but don’ t
insist because I have nothing to say . The public will
be informed when the time comes , right now I am
focused solely on the World Cup.’