<
>

Bayern Munich to reveal Pep Guardiola future plans during winter break

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola will meet with club officials and announce a decision his future during the winter break, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Saturday.

After Bayern cruised to a 4-0 victory over Stuttgart, Rummenigge said he was not concerned with the constant speculation over Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

"I'm relaxed, as is the coach," Rummenigge said. "We'll discuss it after the first half of the campaign. We'll then come to a decision and we'll announce it, whatever the outcome."

Bayern have more than a month off between games on Dec. 19 and Jan. 22.

Guardiola in his third season as Bayern manager after taking a one-year sabbatical following his time in charge at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012. He has been linked to a possible move to Manchester City, among other destinations.

Bayern controlled most of Saturday's match, and Guardiola said he was pleased with the squad's mental state with an eight-point lead atop the Bundesliga.

"Stuttgart had four or five chances. I like teams with this mentality," the manager said. "Many thanks to my players. It's difficult to play with this mentality every three days. So far they've done very well in all competitions.

"I hope our players return in good health from international duty so we can keep up this mentality until the Christmas break."

Forward Arjen Robben opened the scoring for Bayern early but rued some missed chances later in the game.

"We played very, very well in the intense first half and exploited the space," he said. "I didn't make use of all the chances I had, which is annoying, but perhaps I just saved up my goals for more important games."

Bayern also welcomed back Holger Badstuber after he was sidelined for 200 days with a thigh injury. He came on as a second-half substitute to thunderous applause.

"It was an unbelievable reception. It was very emotional," the centre-back said about the atmosphere at the Allianz Arena. "It sent shivers down my spine."

Stuttgart forward Timo Werner said he was disappointed with his team's display.

"We walked right into Bayern's traps," he said. "We've been caught on the break four times, you have to avoid goals like those in Munich. In the first half we pushed up too far, we did better in the second half."