Bayern coach Guardiola hopes to sign off in style
Pep Guardiola is relishing the prospect of signing off his three years as Bayern Munich coach by steering the Bavarian giants to a historic fourth straight Bundesliga title next weekend.
The Bavarians' 2-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday in the capital left Guardiola's side seven points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with three games left.
If Bayern beat Borussia Moenchengladbach at Munich's Allianz Arena next Saturday they will become the first German club to win four straight league titles.
Gladbach, who are fifth in the table, shocked Bayern 3-1 at home when the sides last met in December and are fighting for a Champions League place next season.
Bayern have dominated Germany's top flight each season since Guardiola's predecessor Jupp Heynckes steered them to the 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.
Goals by Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal and Brazil winger Douglas Costa in Berlin sealed Bayern's win.
"We have everything in our own hands and that was a big step towards the title. We just need one more win," beamed Guardiola.
The Spaniard, who will win the 20th title of his career as a manager if Bayern lift the Bundesliga trophy, pointed out that Dortmund's 3-0 win at Stuttgart gave Bayern a chance to clinch the title at home.
"Perhaps it's not such a bad thing, it means we'll become German champions at home," he said.
"I hope that we put in a good performance next week and will be German champions."
But this was a far from polished performance from Bayern ahead of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Atletico Madrid.
They managed just six shots on goal, compared to Hertha's nine, despite the hosts being restricted to just 26 percent possession.
"The game was very unpleasant for us, things were difficult before the break," said Guardiola, who will coach Manchester City next season.
"The first goal from Arturo was very important for our self-confidence and our game, after that we didn't give away any goal chances."
Mario Goetze revealed Guardiola had given the players stern words at half-time in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
"The trainer got stuck into us all a bit in the half-time break," said Goetze.
"We knew ourselves that we didn't play well in the first half, but it's never that easy to play away from home when the opponent stands so deep.
"Nevertheless, we have the three points and that is a big jump forward for us."