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Bayern Munich have confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the Bundesliga champions at the end of this season. Munich have also revealed that Guardiola will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, who will take over from the start of the 2016/17 season.
Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke to German newspaper Bild, saying, “We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season.”
“With Ancelotti we have another very successful coach coming to Bayern. We are looking forward to working together”
Guardiola signed with the German giants in 2013, agreeing a 3 year deal after a year long sabbatical following his spell at Barcelona. Guardiola was repeatedly offered an extension by the German giants, however the Spaniard has seen fit to not sign a contract extension. In a press conference last week, Guardiola added fuel to the fire, saying “Tonight, I have no answer,” Guardiola answered. “Next week, you will know the answer. Next week there will be clarity.”
Ancelotti, who will take over from the start of next season, said, “I'm very honored that I will be coach of the great club #FCBayern from next season.” He has signed a three year deal that will last till 2019.
Ancelotti, who took a year long sabbatical after being relieved of duties by Real Madrid last season, takes over Bayern as a three time Champions League winner, a glaring omission from the trophies that Guardiola has won with Bayern Munich.
Guardiola’s next destination
The Spaniard is being courted by both Manchester clubs, as Bayern honorary president, Franz Beckenbauer remarked last week, “Pep is interesting for every top club in the world. That's just normal.”
“He can pick his club and in terms of popularity Manchester United might be the number one worldwide.”
His former colleague at Barcelona, Txiki Begiristain is now director of football at City and has a view on luring his fellow Spaniard to the club. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has also surprisingly admitted that he hopes Guardiola takes over from him, which has made the Sky Blues the favourites to be the next club to gain Guardiola’s next signature.
