Ottmar Hitzfeld: Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich is the best

Hitzfeld has the Bavarian outfit as the Champions League favourites and tipped them for success in Europe this season.

The German giants have won the Bundesliga on each occasion since Guardiola arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2013, though they have suffered Champions League heartbreak in the semi-finals over the last two seasons.

Pressure appears to be building on Guardiola, who guided Barcelona to European success in 2009 and 2011, but Hitzfeld is confident the current crop of players have what it takes to be crowned the champions of Europe for the sixth time in the club’s history.

Hitzfeld, who guided Bayern to Champions League glory in 2000-01, said: "Bayern have the best team they have ever had."

"They are one of the favourites to win the Champions League alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"In theory, Guardiola could field two world-class teams when everybody is match fit."

Hitzfeld was critical of Bayern and Guardiola in the past, however, claiming that the club have recruited too many foreign players since the Spaniard’s arrival, but now appears happy with their new strategy.

"Guardiola has a different philosophy than his predecessors. He is a bit more internationally oriented in the transfer market. But that is not necessarily a bad thing," he added.