Bayern confirm Ancelotti in to replace Guardiola

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

Manchester United could also be in the market, with Louis van Gaal under increasing pressure to keep his job.

He has agreed a three-year contract to take over from Guardiola, who won the German Bundesliga title in his first two seasons at Bayern and has taken the Bavarians to an eight-point lead heading into the winter break following Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hannover.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “We are grateful to Guardiola for everything he has given our club and hope that we will celebrate many successes together this season”.

Ancelotti most recently managed Real Madrid, and has won three Champions League titles in a distinguished managerial career.

“I am convinced Pep and our team are now going to work even more intensively on realising our sporting ambitions, particularly now that it has been confirmed that Pep will be leaving Bayern”.

“Carlo is a quiet, balanced professional who knows how to deal with stars and play a game with a lot of variety”.

“That is what we were looking for, and that is what we have found. We are looking forward to working with him”. Ancelotti, victor of three Champions League titles, signed a three-year deal.

The Spaniard took over after Bayern’s 2012-13 treble-winning season and consolidated their domestic dominance with back-to-back league titles and a German Cup in his first two seasons in charge. Bayern is leading the Bundesliga, it has reached the quarterfinals of the German Cup and is in the knockout stage of the Champions League, with Juventus looming as the next rival. Despite the club’s willingness for him to stay on, Guardiola chose to leave after three seasons in charge.

It confirms Guardiola’s availability to other teams from the end of the season, having been strongly linked for months with the Manchester City job now occupied by Manuel Pellegrini.

In the same statement, Ancelotti said “it’s an honor for me to be a part of this great club next season”.

The club has also advanced to the Champions League’s Round of 16.

“I want to wish my friend Pep Guardiola and Bayern Munich all the best for the rest of the season”. “I wish a merry and peaceful Christmas and a happy new year to all Bayern’s fans and to all of you”.

It remains to be seen how the players will react to a lame-duck coach, despite Guardiola’s record and reputation.

The Spanish manager’s success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich means that he can choose from any top club in Europe and there are suitors aplently, especially in the rich circle of the Premier League.