Football
Stefan Buczko, Dortmund blogger 8y

Pep Guardiola 'loves' Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery despite criticism

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he still "loves" Franck Ribery despite facing strong criticism from his former Bayern Munich player.

Ribery, 33, has spoken out about his difficulties under Guardiola in recent days, telling kicker that he finally feels "trusted again" under new Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti as well as praising two of the former Barcelona coach's predecessors, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jupp Heynckes.

He then told Bild during Bayern's tour of the United States: "Pep didn't have a long career as manager. He is a young coach. He lacks experience. Sometimes he talks too much. Football is very simple."

Guardiola, 45, was confronted with Ribery's comments after his City side beat Borussia Dortmund on penalties in the International Champions Cup on Thursday.

He replied: "About Ribery I must say: I love him very much. It's good that Ribery says that I'm young. I'm here to learn."

During Heynckes' final spell in charge at Bayern from 2011 to 2013, Ribery played 93 times, winning the treble in his final season. In Guardiola's three-year spell at Bayern, Ribery -- who criticised the Catalan for his rotation policy in 2014 -- only made 84 appearances.

However, the former France international missed a total of 94 games through injury during the Spaniard's reign, with an ankle injury keeping him out for more than eight months in 2015.

Ribery has shown signs of a return to former under Ancelotti, and netted twice in the International Champions Cup game against AC Milan in Chicago on Wednesday.

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