German magazine SportBild have a double interview in their edition this week, getting together Bayern Munich’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Borussia Dortmund’s Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Given both the men often sound incredibly pleased with themselves, there was always going to be some interesting quotes, and SportBild have done a great job of getting the rivals together.
It’s no surprise that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola came up in the conversation, with Rummenigge asked what sort of relationship he currently has with Bayern’s former manager.
“In principle, we have a good relationship. Pep is a man who engages in a task fully, so he concentrates on Manchester City 100%. Maybe we or our colleagues from Dortmund will meet him in the Champions League. I am convinced that Bayern, like the BVB, can beat Pep’s City this season. Even if there is a new wind blowing in Manchester.”
Fighting talk.
Manchester City are probably convinced they could beat Bayern Munich and Rummenigge’s unprompted claim could provide just a little extra motivation, especially for Guardiola.
On the subject of Pep, Dortmund’s Watzke answered the same question, but chose instead to praise the Manchester City manager’s immediate impact.
“You can also see the players: they have all become slimmer. When the teams met in China, I thought: the team is certainly missing 50 kilos.”
Manchester City drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League would certainly be great for the neutral, and Rummenigge would no doubt be prepared with a whole raft of new soundbites.
