Kroos: It didn't make sense to renew at Bayern if Guardiola was off

Real Madrid and Manchester City meet at the Bernabeu in the Champions League on Wednesday with Toni Kroos facing his former coach, Pep Guardiola. 

Kroos worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich before the midfielder left for Madrid in 2014. The German international loved playing under the former Barça coach but said he couldn't stay just because of him. 

"I loved playing for him and could have renewed my contract at Bayern, of course," Kroos told The Athletic. "I don’t think it’s ever a good idea to sign a deal just because of the manager, however. Pep wanted me to renew but what would have been the point of me signing a five-year deal if the manager was off again soon?

“He went to Man City two years later but we’re still in touch and get on very well. I will never forget it because I learned so much.”

Kroos added: “If you ask the players at Bayern today, they will still tell you he’s the best coach they’ve ever had in a sporting sense, and they’ve had plenty of others to compare with. I loved playing for him that one year.”