Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Bayern Munich still plan Pep Guardiola talks amid Man City speculation

Bayern Munich still plan to hold talks with Pep Guardiola later this year to determine whether he will prolong his stay at the club, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said.

Guardiola has entered the final year of the three-year contract he signed in 2013 and has yet to decide his future.

At the weekend, Qatar-based network BeIN Sports reported that Guardiola has already agreed to leave Bayern next summer, and will take over at Manchester City in July 2016. However, the network reported earlier this year that Guardiola had agreed to join City this summer, which was quickly denied by all parties.

Rummenigge did not directly address the latest speculation but suggested there had been no change in their current plan to discuss the situation once the season is underway.

"Pep and I will hold talks over his future this year," Rummenigge told kicker. "That's what has been agreed."

Rummenigge also said that Guardiola's recent comments on transfers should not be interpreted as a sign that his time at the club is coming to an end.

During the club's recent tour of China, the former Barcelona coach told reporters the club board is responsible for buying and selling players rather than him.

"Maybe Pep wanted to clarify something," Rummenigge said. "It was said that Bastian Schweinsteiger left for Manchester United and Douglas Costa was bought because of him, but the club always decides when it comes down to transfers.

"But we have to discuss transfers with the coach. By the way, I also did that with [former Bayern coach] Jupp Heynckes for hours. Jupp once rejected a player [former president] Uli Hoeness and I wanted to sign, so we did not sign him."

Rummenigge added: "Guardiola is not as demanding as he is often portrayed. A few fairytales are being told."

The Bayern chief also reiterated that Thomas Muller will not be allowed to join Manchester United.

"Players we absolutely want to keep are never allowed a transfer," he said, adding that the Germany international "has no price tag" and "is not for sale."

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