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Return of the Pep: Bayern Munich vs Manchester City preview
Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, is with no doubt one of the best football managers in the world. After winning every possible title with FC Barcelona, 45-year-old Guardiola, became the manager of German giants Bayern Munich in 2013 leading the Bavarian in his 3 year tender there to 3 Bundesliga titles and 2 DFB Pokal trophies.
After many rumors about his future in Football, Guardiola was announced in February of last season that he will be Manchester City new manager for the next three years, replacing Chilean Manuel Pellegrini on the job.
Last month it was revealed that in his first match leading as the Citizens, Guardiola will face none other than FC Bayern Munich, the club he just left 2 months ago. This upcoming match will be played next Wednesday, July 20, at The Allianz Arena at 20:30 and it will be interesting to see how the home fans will welcome Pep.
In his first presser as Man City manager last week, Guardiola talked about his desire to succeed with City like in Bayern & Barca and about all the challenges and plans for the season ahead.
After a nice Champions League campaign last year – but not as impressive in the local premier league, City owners brought Guardiola, in order for him to take City back to the championship race and get further success in the Champions League. By the way, adding Pep was not the only addition, Manchester city did for this upcoming year, as the team that plays in Etihad stadium also replaced the club crest that will be the team's new logo from this season on.
Among notable additions to the squad this summer Guardiola and City added German midfielder İlkay Gündoğan from Borussia Dortmund and Spanish forward Nolito that came from Celta Vigo.
Bayern Munich had also made a few changes as the Germans announced already December of 2015 that Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti will take the helm at Allianz Arena. Pep and Ancelotti by the way, have a good relationship as the Italian admitted with confirming the nice feel-good-story about a note Guardiola left for him with success wishes.
Bayern, who will try to win the Bundesliga for the 5th year in a row, added this summer the new European champion, Portuguese young sensation - Renato Sanches from SL Benfica. The Germans also added international centre-back Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund.
Although this is just a friendly match the Bayern Munich-Manchester City clash promise to be an interesting one as before each side will continue their 2016/17 preparation as Bayern friendlies will include playing vs AC Milan, Inter Milan and Real Madrid in the United States.
City friendly schedule until the start of the English Premier League season will include facing rivals Manchester United & Borussia Dortmund in China and later Arsenal in Sweden.