Bayern Munich technical director Michael Reschke has revealed that Pep Guardiola wanted Thomas Tuchel to be his successor at the Allianz Arena.
Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel had been on an enforced year-long break from football at that stage as Mainz had refused to release him from the final year of his contract after he opted to step down.
Reschke, who joined Bayern in 2014, organised a meeting between Guardiola and Tuchel in Munich's Schumann's restaurant in December that year.
He told 11 Freunde that Guardiola had said to him shortly after his arrival: "Thomas has to become my successor at Bayern."
He added: "I had a trusting relationship with Thomas Tuchel, and knew that he admired Pep's work. Pep on the other hand was impressed with Mainz's displays. He often talked to me about Thomas."
Tuchel ultimately agreed to become Dortmund boss in April 2015, with Guardiola leaving Bayern to join Manchester City when his contract expired this summer.
Asked about reports suggesting Guardiola wanted Reschke to follow him to City, the technical director replied: "That isn't entirely correct. It was clear that I would stay in Munich. Pep never asked."
Reschke remains under contract at Bayern until 2018.