Ancelotti To Replace Guardiola At Bayern

Both Chelsea, who are searching for a full-time successor to Jose Mourinho after appointing Guus Hiddink until the end of the season, and Manchester United have also pursued Guardiola in the past.

Bayern Munich’s chairman says Pep Guardiola told him he is leaving the club to pursue “a new challenge”, but he isn’t saying where that will be. “I’m convinced that Pep and the team will now work harder than ever to achieve their ambitions, particularly because it has now been confirmed that Pep will leave FC Bayern”, he noted in a press release.

“That is what we were looking for and that is what we have found. We are looking forward to working with him”. The 56-year-old counts Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the Premier League, the FA Cup, Ligue 1 and the Copa del Rey among major honours earned from the touchline, with La Liga the only serious prize to elude him.

Bayern confirmed Guardiola’s departure at the end of this season on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Champions League one time more than Guardiola, will be filling the Catalan’s boots next summer.

No details over his future were given but Guardiola has been heavily linked with a move to the English Premier League, with Manchester City seemingly the favourites.

However, he has failed to add to the two Champions League trophies he won while in charge of Barcelona, having reached the semi-finals for the past two seasons.

“Pep Guardiola will work here (in England)”.

Touted as one of the best coaches of his generation, Guardiola is used to frenzied speculation over his future having sensationally quit Barcelona in 2012 despite being the most successful coach in the club’s history.

Meanwhile, Guardiola was expected to leave his current club Bayern Munich this summer, the Mirror reported.

“I think I know where he is going”, he told Bild.

“Carlo is a super coach and a super person”, Guardiola said when asked of his thoughts on the Italian boss before revealing he will be returning to Spain to spend time with his family over Christmas. I am sure that he will be very important for the club.

Pep Guardiola habit of constantly rotating his side and making bold tactical changes, such as moving world class right back Philipp Lahm into midfield in the twilight of his career, helped Bayern obliterate the competition in Germany and break bagfuls of domestic records in the process.

Bayern is leading the Bundesliga by eight points at the halfway stage of the season. Manchester City are the favourites to gain the Spaniard’s services after nearly 18 months of courtship, but many other names have been mentioned.

“Of course we would also like to win the Champions League and I would love for Pep and us to do that before he leaves – just like Jupp Heynckes who left after winning the treble”.