Toni kroos: “In Germany, they were more interested in what happens in the boxes, defence and attack, No commentator raised their voice when the ball was in the centre. We, the guys in the middle, hardly mattered.”
“He (Guardiola) was the key figure for German football and for me personally. He opened everybody’s eyes to the importance of control. Many coaches and club officials came (to the Bayern training ground) to see his sessions and talk to him about his novel way of playing. Midfield was always his main concern.”
“Because of the brilliance of his team’s football, the perception changed. People began to see football and midfielders in a completely different light. He was a trailblazer, for coaches and supporters alike.”
“Pep wanted me to renew (at Bayern) but what would have been the point of me signing a five-year deal if the manager was off again soon?”
“He went to Man City two years later but we’re still in touch and get on very well. I will never forget it because I learned so much.”
“If you ask the players at Bayern today, they will still tell you he’s the best coach they’ve ever had in a sporting sense, and they’ve had plenty of others to compare with. I loved playing for him.”