Pep Guardiola laughs off Real Madrid link

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has laughed off rumours that he could be a shock contender to replace Rafael Benitez at Real Madrid if the former Liverpool boss is sacked by the Spanish club.

Benitez is under increasing pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu after the 4-0 Clasico thrashing at the hands of Guardiola's former side Barcelona last month.

Real players and owner Florentino Perez have publicly backed Benitez, but more controversy has surfaced as the club were thrown out of the Copa del Rey for fielding suspended midfielder Denis Cheryshev, with Benitez insisting that neither he nor the club were informed of the player's ineligibility.

With speculation growing about Benitez having a difficult working relationship with a number of the club's senior stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Guardiola, whose contract with Bayern expires at the end of the season, was touted as a surprise candidate to replace the Real boss.

However, Guardiola hinted earlier this week that he would like to stay at the German champions, and he dismissed outright any suggestion that he could be on his way to the Spanish capital.

"No, no, that would not be good," he replied when asked about a possible move to Real. "We would not fit together. No, there is nothing to report for you journalists."

In his four years as Barcelona manager and two seasons at Bayern, Guardiola has won 19 trophies including five league titles and two Champions League titles.