Pep Guardiola gave Bayern Munich helping hand as club chief drops intriguing admission

Pep Guardiola helped former club Bayern Munich appoint Manchester City icon Vincent Kompany, the German club’s chairman has revealed. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that a deal for current Burnley boss Kompany is close to being completed and that Guardiola gave a glowing reference of his ex-City captain.

Kompany, 38, has emerged as a surprise contender for the Bayern job despite suffering relegation from the Premier League with Burnley last season. The Clarets won only five games and finished the campaign eight points adrift of safety.

But after Bayern were rejected by a succession of candidates, they have turned to Kompany to help them win back the Bundesliga from Bayer Leverkusen next season. Rummenigge has explained that Guardiola was influential in identifying Kompany.

“Pep Guardiola was also helping us with Kompany, he spoke very highly of Vincent as a talented coach,” the 68-year-old told Sky Italia.

“He gave us a big helping hand. He had him as captain at City and he also followed him when he was at Burnley.”

Rummenigge added: “Our sports director has chosen Kompany, it’s not official yet, there are just some final details to settle.”

Guardiola’s own future has become muddied in recent weeks. The Spaniard guided City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title, but admitted afterwards that he had considered quitting after last season’s Champions League triumph.

According to the Daily Mail, Guardiola is expected to leave City at the end of next season. He admitted to being ‘tired’ after an eight-year reign at the Etihad Stadium.

“After Istanbul I said: ‘It’s over, there’s nothing left.’ But I have a contract, I’m still here,” he said. “Some moments I’m a bit tired but some of the moments I love and we are here winning games, looking good with new players.”

While speaking ahead of his side’s FA Cup defeat against Manchester United, he added: “I start to think that no one has done four in a row, why don’t we try? And now I feel it’s done, so what next?”

City have ended their campaign with just the one trophy. They beat Arsenal to the Premier League title by two points, but were beaten in the FA Cup final and suffered a disappointing quarter-final exit in the Champions League.