The German centre-back hardly played under the coach at Bayern because of injury, but they connected on a much deeper level
Holger Badstuber has revealed he is still in touch with Pep Guardiola amid talks the centre-back is set to leave the Bundesliga.
Badstuber made just 25 appearances in all competitions in the three years he worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich, amid persistent injury problems that have plagued the Germany international’s career.
Guardiola has gone on to achieve success at Manchester City since his departure, while Badstuber returned to first-team football after moving to Stuttgart this season, helping them to a seventh-place finish.
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Despite the distance between the pair, however, they have kept in contact, and Guardiola is delighted to see his former charge fit again.
“I still have contact with Pep several times a year,” he told Sport Bild. “We have a good relationship, because we also really understand each other as humans.
“Pep is pleased that I’m back in full swing. He has had a great season with City, extended his contract and is now planning for the new season.
“I’m grateful to Stuttgart for the season, with our finish and my personal achievements. I have been backed up in my feeling that Stuttgart was the right decision.”
Badstuber will not renew his contract with Stuttgart as he is intent on going to a higher level, outlining a place in the Champions League as the target.
“It would be wrong to close the door at Stuttgart, but now I have this great urge to play internationally. My goal is not the Europa League, but the Champions League.
“I do not want to confine myself to moving abroad, but of course that would be an experience that I would like to do someday.
“There is interest and offers from abroad. The only thing that stands firm for me is that I don’t want to wait as long as last year, but have a complete preseason.”
