Trapattoni lauds Ancelotti's signing by Bayern Munich

Former Bayern Munich coach Giovanni Trapattoni has described the signing of Carlo Ancelotti as the new tactician of the Bavarian football club to succeed Pep Guardiola next season, as a "terrific decision".

"I would like to congratulate my old friends (and Bayern board members) Uli Hoeness, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on this terrific decision," Xinhua quoted Trapattoni as saying in the Bild newspaper on Tuesday.

"I am pleased that Carlo will soon take over Bayern as he is an extremely experienced coach -- just ask superstars like (Cristiano) Ronaldo," former Italy coach Trapattoni added according to the same newspaper.

Trapattoni, who coached Bayern between 1996 and 1998, played down the fact that Ancelotti does not speak German, noting that the Italian is a very intelligent person who speaks several languages and will soon learn a new one.

"His successes are no coincidence. Carlo has won the Champions League, twice with AC Milan and (once) with Real Madrid. He will bring more titles for Bayern -- I am firmly convinced," 76-year-old Trapattoni, who played for Italian side AC Milan during his peak, insisted.

Trapattoni refused to answer a question about whether Ancelotti is a better coach than Guardiola.

"Pep is a super coach who is now looking for a new challenge. Bayern are in a comfortable situation -- they have an outstanding coach and will get another super coach next summer," the former Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus coach stressed.