Monday 21 December 2015 10:00, UK
Pep Guardiola's success at Bayern Munich has led to unfair media treatment, insists club sporting director Matthias Sammer.
Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, when his three-year contract expires, and will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti.
The 44-year-old is thought to be keen on a fresh challenge after winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles, with his side on track to secure a third straight league success.
His possession-based philosophy and intensive training methods have divided opinion in Germany, but Sammer believes his achievements with Bayern should be recognised.
"In Germany we always have the feeling that when somebody's getting so much praise, then there has got to be another extreme and they've got to be brought down somehow," Sammer told Sky Sport Deutschland.
"What he has achieved, also for German football, is extraordinary and we've got to recognise that. We have got to bring an end to seeing negatively somebody who works so painstakingly, as if tomorrow never comes.
"In recent days, Pep has come off far too badly. What he does with his hard work, his dedication and his positive craziness can be discussed, but it cannot ever be questioned."
Sammer admits that losing Guardiola is a blow, but is confident that Bayern will continue to succeed when Ancelotti takes over.
"It's a pity [that Guardiola is leaving], but this is football," Sammer added. "It's always a loss, but on the other hand we have to serve our responsibility for this club and get back to normal.
"What the players have achieved in these past four years is absolutely honourable, and now we've got to find the right time to get back to talking about what matters. Ancelotti is the man we really wanted; nobody else came into the frame."
