AS.com

The German press, such as weekly 'Focus' and newspaper 'Die Welt', today published rumours that Pep Guardiola will include ex Madrid striker Raúl González in his plans as his assistant when he takes over at Bayern Munich. Sources close to Raúl however have denied the rumours.

The theory that Raúl would take an assistant's post with Guardiola appeared a few days ago in Germany, where the player is still fondly remembered for his time at Schalke 04, and appears to be getting stronger, though no concrete source has been identified. "Will Raúl return to the Bundesliga?" asked 'Focus' and made reference to the role apparently played by the ex Real Madrid man in Guardiola's move to Bayern Munich.

In Germany the media apparently haven't tired of repeating that it was Raúl who played a key role in convincing Pep to come to the Bundesliga, instead of heading elsewhere in Europe, where they may have been more money on offer, but not a club of the calibre of Bayern.

So far Guardiola has guarded his silence over the rumours. The coach is still in New York and is not expected in Munich before his presentation in July. Raúl, now 35, plays at Qatari team Al Sadd, since he left Shalke last season.