Bayern Munich's chairman is giving coach Pep Guardiola a ringing endorsement as he prepares for his second season in charge, saying that the club will never fire him.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was responding to questions in Sunday's Welt am Sonntag newspaper about whether he was worried that Bayern could struggle this season since many of its stars haven't yet returned after playing at the World Cup.

The interviewer recalled that Bayern coaches were dismissed in disappointing seasons following the last two World Cups.

Rummenigge said Guardiola will remain in charge "at least until his contract ends" in 2016.

He was quoted as saying: "Bayern will never dismiss Pep Guardiola. I can give you that in writing today."

Guardiola led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double championships last season.