Pep Guardiola responds to Effenberg's and Matthaus' criticism

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has hit back at Stefan Effenberg and Lothar Matthaus after the former Bayern players criticized him in recent interviews. Speaking at a press conference in Munich ahead of the Audi Cup, Guardiola became increasingly impatient with the line of questioning once again turning to his future.

Guardiola said on Friday he no longer wanted to talk about his future at Bayern, although he said he would "never become a burden" on the club. According to both Effenberg and Matthaus, he is already becoming one with the growing speculation about him moving to Manchester City next season becoming an interference - while the latter said he saw Jose Mourinho as a better coach than Guardiola anyway.

"If somebody thinks that Jose Mourinho is the best coach in the world, then that's not my problem," Guardiola said on Monday. He added: "I'm not here to be the best coach in the world, but to do the best for this club. If Effenberg and Matthaus work as journalists, then they have every right to criticise me because that is their job."

Guardiola was defended by Bayern's media officer Markus Horwick, who tried to deflect any further questions on the coach's future. "Neither Effenberg nor Matthaus have seen Pep training so maybe they should inform themselves better before they give their opinions," he said.

Getting back to the football, Guardiola said Mario Gotze must raise his game if he is going to feature in the two-day, four-team tournament at the Allianz Arena - which also includes Tottenham, AC Milan and Real Madrid. "He's a great lad and a super professional, but the players need to convince me on the field and that applies to everybody," said Guardiola. Gotze came on as a late substitute in the Supercup defeat to Wolfsburg on Saturday and is continuing to be linked with a move to Juventus this summer.

The Bianconeri may firm up their interest having lost Sami Khedira to injury for two months, although Schalke's Julian Draxler is still reported to be their first choice to replace Arturo Vidal, who has joined Bayern and is set to feature on Tuesday, when Bayern face Milan. The German giants then face either Real or Spurs in the final or third-place play-off on Wednesday. "He will get his minutes against Milan," said Guardiola.