Badstuber: Guardiola can make Bayern the best

By FOX SPORTS Staff

Guardiola resigned as manager of Barcelona at the end of last season after an illustrious managerial career at the club which saw him lead them to 14 major titles.

The Spanish tactician, currently in the midst of a year-long sabbatical, was reportedly sought after by the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, but Guardiola surprised the footballing world by announcing he had chosen to join Bayern starting next season.

And Badstuber revealed he was delighted Guardiola would be taking over the managerial reins at the club next season.

"Like everyone else I was surprised [at Guardiola's appointment]," Badstuber admitted to t-online.

"Just his name says a lot. The many titles he has won with Barcelona, how he perfected the game, how he celebrates football and gives great pleasure to many people.

Badstuber also tipped the Bavarian giants to become the biggest team in Europe under the former Barcelona manager.

"Bayern could become the ultimate team in Europe," Badstuber declared. 

"Right now there is no better team to play for. 

"This has developed over the past few years. People did their homework in this club. 

"Certainly, titles were missing but we learned from the results, which were severe and meant heavy set-backs.

"We have developed mentally and have come out of that situation positive. We have drawn the conclusion from it and turned them into hard work.

"And now we have a great team that has a lot of quality."

Die Roten have been in irrepressible form this season; they currently hold an incredible 17-point lead at the Bundesliga, but Badstuber has his sights set on winning the Champions League this season, and Bayern have a good chance of progressing into the quarter-finals of the competition following their 3-1 defeat of Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

"Looking at the results in the round of the last-16, we could go far," Badstuber added.

"Who knows? Maybe we end up playing the final again."

Badstuber had established himself as an integral part of Bayern's first-team,  but he suffered an unfortunate knee injury in December and has been ruled out of action ever since.

Although doctors initially estimated the German international to fully recover in time only for next season, Badstuber is hopeful that he can defy the odds and take some part in the latter stages of Bayern's current campaign.

"It is difficult to say when exactly I will return," Badstuber admitted. 

"I would love to end this season feeling good and to have a normal pre-season during the summer. 

"It would be great to return to the pitch and play one competitive game."

Bayern will take on Fortuna Dusseldorf in their next Bundesliga fixture.