Guardiola to be replaced by Ancelotti at Bayern

The news making shockwaves around the world of football is that of Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola leaving the club after 3 years in charge.

“He told me that he was looking for a new challenge and nearly apologised”.

“The rumours are that, with the ex-Barcelona guys at Manchester City, that he will be coming in at the end of the season, but they are only rumours at the moment”.

Guardiola has also been linked with Chelsea since Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Blues for a second time on Thursday. So far, United have shown, publicly at least, no interest in the 44-year-old as they stand by their not-so-flying Dutchman. “You don’t play for the coach but with the coach”, he said.

Louis Van Gaal has admitted he is anxious about his Old Trafford future after Saturday’s 2-1 shock loss to Norwich condemned United to their third successive Barclays Premier League defeat.

This season Munich are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga in search of an unprecedented fourth title in a row, and in the running for a title treble in the final months with the Spanish coach.

The incoming Carlo Ancelotti (left) and the outgoing Pep Guardiola.

Bayern had set a deadline of this weekend before the winter break in the Bundesliga to ascertain Guardiola’s intentions after he stalled on all attempts to force him to sign a contract extension.

“I am very honoured”, said Ancelotti”.

Guardiola, an intelligent midfielder for Johan Cruyff’s Barcelona in his playing days, is a meticulous coach who plans in minute detail.

“Cruyff built the cathedral”.

He infused the team with a fluid passing and pressing game that tormented opponents.

City have struggled on their travels of late, not winning any of their last four matches on the road in the Barclays Premier League and failing to score in the last three of them.

Guardiola’s tenure at Bayern is likely to be judged on his Champions League form as he bids to reach the final in Milan on May 28 having exited at the semi-final stage the last two seasons.

An exhausted Guardiola, who had become worn down by the political machinations at the club, promptly resigned, saying there wasn’t any more he could do. For a club fixated on amassing commercially appealing players, who better to occupy the dugout than one of its biggest characters who brings a track record of glory?

Manchester City are the bookmakers’ favourites to land the Spaniard’s signature, especially given the strong ex-Barcelona connection already in place at the Etihad Stadium.