Bayern Munich: Guardiola well set to continue success

Pep Guardiola takes over from Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Area

It's official: Pep Guardiola is the new boss of Bayern Munich, in case anyone was wondering...

Although we have known the identity of Bayern Munich's new manager since January, it wasn't until Monday that Pep Guardiola was granted his grand unveiling at the Allianz Arena.

In front of a record amount of journalists at a Bayern press conference - all chomping at the bit to get a question across to Jupp Heynckes' replacement - Guardiola was the picture of calm even if his German leaves room for improvement.

While his German is sure to get better, the far greater reaching question is whether or not Guardiola can improve a team which has just completed a treble?

The former Barcelona man shrugged off the subject of improvement by stating: "There's always pressure to win at any big club, that's why you're a manager."

Guardiola also suggested that he'd much rather take over a successful team than a team languishing 18 points behind the league leaders, a direct reference to the situation he inherited when installed at the Camp Nou back in 2008.

Of course, we all witnessed what happened then, as the trophies flowed like wine in the ensuing years, with Guardiola most notably capturing two Champions League titles.

And while Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was keen to stress that retaining their Bundesliga crown was the Pep's main objective, there's no hiding the fact that the top brass are intent on experiencing further continental success.

Presently, Bayern are the overwhelming favourites to defend their German title next season at 1.241/4, with Borussia Dortmund considered their nearest threat once more at 6.05/1.

At this juncture, it's difficult to envisage Bayern being troubled by any other team, though becoming the first team to retain the Champions League in its present guise remains a far bigger task.

As he did at Barcelona, Guardiola will have to manage with being the favourites to win the competition from the outset, with Bayern currently rated at 4.77/2, just in front of his old club Barca at 5.04/1.

If anyone is equipped to deal with the pressure of the favourites tag, it's the former Barca chief. With the quality of players at his disposal, success seems like it's there to stay at the Allianz Arena for the foreseeable.