Agencies
London, Dec 16: Pep Guardiola is set to announce he is leaving Bayern Munich next week, with Carlo Ancelotti, the former Real Madrid manager, poised to replace him at the Allianz Arena.
According to a section of the English media, Guardiola, whose contract with Bayern expires at the end of the season, has taken the decision to leave club and work with some club in England. The primary reason for seeking change is that he has not been able to get the players he wants to make a serious title bid for the Champions League.
And Ancelotti is in advanced talks to replace the Spaniard at the Bundesliga giants. The Italian, last month had said that he would like manage Manchester United. But with no offer coming from the Louis van Gaal-managed side, the Italian has decided to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
The news will be of massive significance to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, who are currently surveying the managerial landscape amid doubts over their current bosses.
Guardiola is expected to join City, but supporters of United and Chelsea will ask: ‘Why didn’t we try to sign him?’ This will be more so because among the three clubs – City are the only one performing to expectations.
Ancelotti has also been earlier linked with Chelsea but the former Real Madrid manager does not wish to return to Stamford Bridge. “No if it is in England, it has to be Manchester United,” the Italian has recently stated during a TV
interview.
Guardiola took over at Bayern following their treble win in 2013, and has won back to back Bundesliga titles. The Spaniard when asked about his future said he will give ‘clarity’ next week, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current season. “Tonight, I have no answer,” he said after Tuesday’s win over Darmstadt in the Club World Cup. Next week there will be clarity.”
Guardiola’s announcement comes after the club’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed last month that he will hold talks with Guardiola after Bayern play Hannover this Saturday. Rummenigge said: “It is not planned to push back that date. We have always said there will be a decision in 2015. I know that it’s late, just days before Christmas. But the talks will be held after the Hannover match, and we’ll then announce a decision.”
But sources confirmed that Guardiola has made up his mind to leave the German club, ahead of the fixture in Hanover. The former Barcelona star has turned down an offer of €20mn (£14.5m) per year to stay at the German giants.
