Bayern Munich CEO had to convince Pep Guardiola ‘not to play Manuel Neuer in midfield’

Guardiola managed Bayern between 2013 and 2016

Manuel Neuer (Getty)

Pep Guardiola considered playing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer in midfield while manager of Bayern Munich, the club’s CEO has revealed.

Guardiola managed Bayern between 2013 and 2016 and enjoyed considerable success, winning three consecutive Bundesliga titles.

And Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now revealed that he had to convince Guardiola against playing his World Cup winning goalkeeper in midfield.

Rummenigge said in the foreword for the club’s official magazine ‘51: “Manuel invented the art of being a footballer as a goalkeeper and revolutionised this position.

“I still remember how Pep Guardiola, after winning a championship, seriously came up with the idea of ​​putting him in midfield for a game.”

However, Rummenigge warned Guardiola against the idea because he didn’t want teams thinking Bayern were arrogant

“I found it difficult to dissuade Pep from this idea, which some of us felt might be interpreted as arrogance. But I am convinced that Manu would have done well in midfield, too.”