When it was announced over three years ago that Jupp Heynckes was stepping down at seasons end of the first ever treble of Bundesliga champion DFB Pokal Champions and Champions League winners there was the question of who would be the big enough figure to be able to fill those shoes.
In came Pep Guardiola after a year sabbatical and he went about changing everything about Bayern Munich in the way that they played.
Merging his Barcelona tactics with the players he had at his disposal a new era of unprecedented dominance would be coming out of the Allianz Arena that those in the Bundesliga would not be prepared to deal with.
2012-13 Bayern set a record of points with 91 and clinching on a record 28th match day. First year under Guardiola one less point earned but became champions on a new record 27th match day.
The ruthlessness that was seen from Bayern was absolute. Their first league loss was not until the title had been already wrapped up on match day 29. A record of 28 match unbeaten run was the perfect example of what was to be expected from Bayern Munich under the Spaniard’s managership. To top it all they won the DFB Pokal over the only challenger Borussia Dortmund while making the Champions League semifinals.
2014-15 was not seen as dominant as they only earned 71 points, winning the league early and not making the Champions League final three of their final four matches they lost as all that could be accomplished was. The drive was there when they were after their goals.
This 2015-16 season many of the same accomplishments were earned. A record fourth consecutive Bundesliga title for Bayern was earned despite being pushed hard by Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season. Another semifinal exit in the Champions League led many thinking that despite the dominance under Guardiola that there was a sense of disappointment.
Facing the second best team in Germany Borussia Dortmund in Berlin in the DFB Pokal Bayern was pushed to the edge and into penalties they went. 5-3 Munich in penalties and the Pep era was over. The win was against the biggest challenge that was faced during the three years of the Guardiola tenure.
Despite finishing in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League each of his four seasons. Some will look at that and say it is a blemish but when you are making the semifinals thats something that hasn’t been attained by any other club during that time, not either Madrid’s, Barcelona, PSG, any English club, or Juventus.
Does it mean that Carlo Ancelotti will find it easy in succeeding Pep Guardiola? Not in the slightest. Bayer Leverkusen are bringing in reinforcements and Borussia Dortmund look to be a great side going forward under Thomas Tuchel.
The fact is that the level of expectation at a club such as Bayern Munich is beyond that of all. Win everything. And Pep was always there. Winning the Bundesliga each season by 10 points or more. Making the semifinals of the Champions League every year. Making the semifinals or winning the DFB Pokal each season. Five winners medals is a considerable haul in three seasons.
Bayern fans wont long forget the era of Pep Guardiola. One that led them to considerable glory when many expected the club to slide after the first German treble in 2013.
