Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola finally shed some light on his resignation at Barcelona on Thursday -- and confirmed he hoped to raid his old club for midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Bayern Munich's Spanish head coach Pep Guardiola attends a press conference at the team training camp in Arco, Italy, on July 11, 2013. "After four years the desire was gone in Barcelona," Guardiola said at Bayern's training camp in northern Italy.
Guardiola, 42, quit as head coach at Barca after winning 14 titles during his four-year reign at the Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012.
"After four years the desire was gone in Barcelona," Guardiola said at Bayern's training camp in northern Italy.
"The same players, the same opponents, the same journalists, the same games. Now everything is new.
"It's good for my experience. My family will come to Munich soon, it's a good education and therefore I'm grateful."
He also confirmed the European champions' interest in Alcantara.
Spanish media had already linked the 22-year-old with a move to Bayern and Guardiola admitted he has already asked the Bavarian giants to sign the midfielder.
"Yes, I want Thiago Alcantara, I have asked (Bayern to get him)," he said.
"I know him very, very well. He's a great player and can cover three, four, five positions.
"I have talked to (chairman Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge and (director of sport Matthias) Sammer, we will have to wait and see.
"Thiago is the only player I want, it will be him or no one.
"We have many players, but we need the special qualities Thiago Alcantara brings."
Both Manchester United and Real Madrid have been linked to Alcantara, who has a market value of around 20 million euros ($26 million) and captained Spain Under-21 to the European title and was voted player of the tournament.
Alcantara, who has a contract at Barcelona until June 2015, scored a first-half hat-trick as Spain beat Italy 4-2 in the European Under-21 Championships in Jerusalem last month.
Bayern already have several midfield stars with Germany's Mario Goetze signed from Borussia Dortmund, plus Holland's Arjen Robben, France's Franck Ribery, Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri vying for places.
"I don't think adding another midfielder will be a problem for us," said Guardiola.
"I spoke to club about my concept and told them why I want Thiago Alcantara.
"I give my opinion but I listen to the board. If they say no, that's ok.
"Nobody will leave Barcelona, unless they feel they won't play much. He wants to play. That's why I proposed him to the club."