Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have announced that manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club when his contract expires next summer.
The German giants’ chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, announced the news on Sunday morning and remained adamant that the news of Guardiola’s departure would not damage their chances of winning trophies this season.
We are grateful to Pep Guardiola for everything he has given our club since 2013. I am convinced that Pep and our team will now work even more intensively towards achieving our major sporting goals – especially as it is now confirmed that Pep is to leave FC Bayern.
The Spaniard has been linked with moves to Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea since his future at the Allianz Arena became uncertain.
With ex-Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti poised to take over in the German capital, Guardiola has become the odds-on favourite to become the next manager at the Etihad Stadium.
Rumours linking the 2011 FIFA Coach of the Year with a move to the Sportscity complex intensified when Citizens boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed that he believes that Guardiola will take over from him.
The highly-rated coach is one of the most decorated managers in world football with five league titles and two Champions League’s to his name already, despite being just 44 years of age.
Guardiola’s first managerial venture came at the Nou Camp, where he led Catalan giants Barcelona to 13 trophies in four years, before subsequently moving on to begin a new challenge.
Since joining Bayern in 2013, he has added another five cups to his collection and could still win another four this term.
With a price of 1/3 with bookmakers and recent events, it is looking more and more likely that the Sky Blues could be about to make the appointment that fans have been dreaming about for years.
