Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola admits leaving Barcelona hurt him

Pep Guardiola

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his exit from Barcelona saying it hurt him while stepping down as the coach, reports Goal.

The 43-year old Catalan ascribed his departure to the stress he was forced to contend with, when at the helm and admitted that leaving the Blaurana outfit did hurt hIm.

"Leaving Barcelona always hurts, you don't leave Barcelona without wounds," he said to Marca.

"I left the club because I was tired. It wasn't anyone’s fault. It was time."

Guardiola also spoke about Messi and Mascherano saying it was a pleasure working with the pair. "I was fortunate to enjoy (being able to work with) Messi. Especially since guys like him are only born every so often".

"He does the talking on the pitch, he plays in a way that is greater than I can understand."

On Mascherano, he says,"Mascherano is also one of the smartest players that I have ever worked with. He understands the game, always seeing things from his central position. He is more humble and smarter than I am."

Barcelona touched astronomical heights under Pep Guardiola, winning 14 out of a possible 17 trophies in his four year stint.