Ozil says Guardiola is the reason he did not sign for Barcelona
The German has revealed why he didn't head to Camp Nou in his autobiography
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he turned down Barcelona because of the lack of attention from Pep Guardiola.
The German international admits his preference was to join the Catalan side, but has revealed in his book Magic of the Game, which is due out this month, that the personal touch from Jose Mourinho led him to Real Madrid instead.
"Before I personally wanted to go to Barcelona," he explained of the time he left Werder Bremen in 2010.
"I was convinced to go there. No team of the world played more beautiful football at this time.
“But the absence of Pep Guardiola made me suspicious. When my agent and I flew back from Barcelona, I asked him again and again.
"Why was the coach not there? His answer was always the same: 'He was on vacation'.
"Guardiola did not call me in the following days either. He did not even send an SMS. He did not send me a signal that he wanted me to.
"After that my enthusiasm for Barcelona steadily declined.
"Because of Guardiola's behaviour, I did not want to go to Barcelona.
"Especially because Mourinho fought so much at the same time. He was so convincing. So heartfelt, trying so hard He was the complete opposite of the Barca coach. So I decided for Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid."
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