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Thiago: Future not tied to Guardiola

Davis Van OpdorpDecember 23, 2015

Though having played parts of seven seasons under Pep Guardiola, Thiago Alcantara dismissed the notion he would leave Bayern Munich with the departing coach this summer in an interview with "Sport Bild".

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Sport Fussball Bundesliga VfB Stuttgart - Bayern München 17. Spieltag 29.01.2014
Image: Bongarts/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola may be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season, but his midfield protege has no intention of leaving with him. In an interview which German magazine "Sport Bild" released Wednesday, Thiago Alcantara affirmed his future is not connected to the departing coach's.

"I am not dependent on Pep," Thiago said. "He is a great coach, but I do not need to take the same path as him. I am staying in Munich independent from Pep."

Fußball Champions League Viertelfinale Rückspiel FC Bayern München - FC Porto
Thiago Alcantara insists his loyalties remain with Bayern Munich, not Pep GuardiolaImage: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Gebert

Upon his appointment in 2013, Guardiola lobbied for Bayern to pursue Thiago, who the coach helped establish in the Barcelona first team. Bayern pounced on the Spanish midfielder, whose contractual buyout clause was much less than it could have been due to playing time shortcomings. With Guardiola now departing, media reports out of England have speculated Thiago could follow suit and leave the club despite the midfielder signing a contract extension until 2019 in August.

"That is complete rubbish, without background or basis," said Thiago. "It does not make any sense. Why should I follow Pep? I extended my contract here with Bayern because I am happy. I am very thankful of the club and how they supported me regarding my injuries. That is why I put my contract extension into motion so early."

Thiago has made 122 first-team appearances under Guardiola at Barcelona and Bayern Munich since 2009. The only other coach he has played under is the late Tito Vilanova during the 2012/13 season.