He was difficult – Lewandowski opens up on relationship with Guardiola

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has opened up about his time under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, revealing that it was “difficult” to work with the renowned manager.

Lewandowski spent eight successful years with the German giants, winning two Bundesliga titles under Guardiola, who left for Manchester City in 2016.

However, Lewandowski admitted that his initial two seasons with Guardiola were challenging, particularly in terms of connecting with him on a personal level.

“The beginning was tough,” Lewandowski told Rio Ferdinand on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“Pep at that time was very, very focused only on the football things. As a human, he was difficult for the players.”

Lewandowski observed that Guardiola’s intense focus on tactics often made it hard for players to connect with him.

“He knew that he was so brilliant with the tactics that the players should follow him. And if the players follow him, they’re going to win.”

However, Lewandowski noted that Guardiola has since evolved as a manager, becoming more approachable and open with his players. “And I saw that later he started to change.

Like personality, or I say to be more a human, to be more open for the players, can help him more than sometimes tactics.”