Robert Lewandowski Opens Up About Pep Guardiola’s Difficult Coaching Style at Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola’s time as a manager has been marked by his brilliance in tactics and his ability to lead top-tier teams like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. However, one player who had firsthand experience working under Guardiola at Bayern Munich has shared his perspective on what it was like to work with the demanding coach.

Robert Lewandowski, the prolific striker who played for Bayern from 2014 to 2022, recently discussed his time under Guardiola during an interview on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel. Reflecting on their early days together, Lewandowski admitted that the beginning of their collaboration was challenging.

“The initial phase was tough because Pep was completely absorbed in football matters,” Lewandowski explained. “As a human, he could be difficult for the players because his belief in his tactical brilliance made him think that if they followed his lead, success would follow.”

Lewandowski observed that Guardiola, initially laser-focused on implementing his tactical vision, appeared distant and somewhat rigid in his approach to player relationships. “I saw that he began to evolve in terms of his personality—he started becoming more receptive to the players, and I believe that this approach would have been more beneficial than focusing solely on tactics.”

The Polish striker acknowledged that while tactics were crucial, especially in high-stakes matches like Champions League semi-finals and finals, there were other factors that played a pivotal role in determining success. “Tactics are important, but at this level, many variables come into play that can determine whether you win or lose,” Lewandowski added.

Despite the demanding nature of Guardiola’s leadership, Lewandowski pointed out that the City manager was not without his softer side. “Pep is very demanding on the pitch, but off the pitch, he has a pleasant demeanor. Like all coaches, he does experience frustration when the team doesn’t perform.”

Lewandowski’s insights shed light on the early struggles of adapting to Guardiola’s high expectations, especially considering it was his first managerial role outside of Barcelona. The pressure of implementing his successful tactical system in a new league meant that Guardiola’s focus was initially more on results than on building deeper personal connections with his players.

As Lewandowski’s reflections suggest, Guardiola’s management style evolved over time, balancing his tactical genius with a more human approach that helped him form stronger relationships with his players. This transformation has been pivotal in his continued success, particularly at Manchester City, where he is now in his ninth season.