Manchester United and City target Pep Guardiola decides to leave Bayern Munich

Sportsmail understands Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season, has taken the decision to leave Bayern.

Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman has revealed that he would be devastated if Pep Guardiola were to leave the Allianz Arena, amidst rumours linking the Spanish coach with a switch to the Premier League.

“Tonight, I have no answer”, Guardiola said on Tuesday. “Next week, you will know the answer”, Guardiola stated on German television channel ARD. He is set to announce his decision in the coming days as the rumors of a £15 million-a-year salary with Manchester City is making headlines.

Guardiola, who joined the Bavarians in 2013 after leading Barcelona to 14 titles in four years, is one of the most sought-after coaches in world football. Rumors have already linked the two-time Bundesliga championship coach with Manchester City, apparently replacing Manuel Pellegrini next season.

“In the first half, we could have rented the Bayern half as a auto park”, Darmstadt coach Dirk Schuster said.

That is a blow to Manchester United, who could soon also be looking for a new manager and would see Guardiola as the obvious alternative.

The club have widely been reported to be willing to go to whatever lengths it takes to keep Guardiola in Bavaria.

Guardiola’s contract with Bayern runs out at the end of the season and Hitzfeld is confident that he will join City next season.

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea sacking adds another rival to Manchester City in their pursuit of Pep Guardiola next summer.

Second-division side Heidenheim also went through after they enjoyed a 2-0 win at third-division Erzgebirge Aue to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history.

Guardiola and Ancelotti are the two outstanding candidates to replace him, though should they both accept moves elsewhere, it will force a riskier hire.

It is presumed, though, that in part the ease with which Bayern dominate the German football landscape has led Guardiola into feeling stagnant.