Man Utd boost as Bayern confirm Pep Guardiola exit

Guardiola, 44, has confirmed he will end speculation about his future at the German champions and announce his plans for the immediate future next week – with many outlets reporting he will opt not to extend his contract at the Allianz Arena, which expires next summer.

Ancelotti’s pedigree as a Champions League-winning manager is bound to be trumpeted by Bayern, and it is worth noting that the only realistic Champions League title contenders in recent years have been the two Spanish clubs in Real Madrid and Barcelona and Bayern themselves.

He said of his appointment: “I am very honoured that from next season I will coach a great club in FC Bayern”.

“Carlo is a calm, level-headed expert who knows how to work with stars and plays a brand of football rich in variety. We are looking forward to working together”.

If Ancelotti wins the Bundesliga with Bayern next season, he will become the second coach to have won league titles in four of Europe’s top six leagues.

Ancelotti is the only coach to win three Champions League titles, although Bob Paisley also won three in the European Cup with Liverpool.

And while he is being linked with Chelsea – following the sacking of Jose Mourinho – Manchester United and Arsenal, the former Barcelona boss seems to be City bound. “They have been super all year, be it in the Bundesliga, in the Champions League or in the DFB-Pokal”.

It is believed Guardiola made his decision to leave some time ago and informed the club, enabling them to step up their pursuit of Ancelotti. He has extended his stay in Munich by a year, with next season perhaps being the last of his successful career. The Bayern manager is set to leave Munich at the end of the current campaign and said he would give an update as to what his future holds on Sunday. Guardioloa has won 105 of 135 matches in charge.

Ancelotti is also the only coach to have won the Champions League three times – twice with Milan and once with Real – while he also has a Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 title on his lengthy list of successes. We are going to continue with the Capital One Cup in January and start with the FA Cup.

“Pep Guardiola will not extend his contract with FC Bayern Munich”.

“I am sure Pep Guardiola will work here someday”.

“If I finish this season winning the Premier League, and in three years winning two Premier Leagues with one runner-up, that is very important”, the 62-year-old added.