Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted Pep Guardiola’s decision to take over at Bayern Munich in July is somewhat surprising.

• By Staff Writer     Follow @insidelaliga

The former Barcelona coach had told FIFA.com earlier this week of his desire to coach in the English Premier League but has decided to move to the Bundesliga, signing a three-year deal with the German club.

“He asked me a few times and told me a few times he would like to come to England, so I am bit surprised he has chosen to go to Germany,” the Frenchman said.

“Bayern Munich are an interesting club, Germany is an interesting league, well-managed so it is defendable what he has done.

“I stayed here for such a long time because I feel this is the most interesting league in the world.

“I always encouraged him to come to England. It is not a backward step,” he said. “In Germany, maybe along with Spain they are a country with the best young players.

“If you look at the results of Germany in the Under-17s, U18s and U19s, in the last three seasons, they beat everybody.

“It is the football of tomorrow. Tomorrow’s football will be played in Germany, certainly.”