BERLIN: Pep Guardiola will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after the Spaniard decided not to extend his contract at the German champions and will be replaced by three-time Champions League-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the much-anticipated change in manager on Sunday, saying a three-year deal with Ancelotti has been completed.
“When I knew of the club’s interest I didn’t want to consider any other offer. I honestly wish Bayern Munich and my friend Pep Guardiola the best for the current season,” Ancelotti said.
The 56-year-old Ancelotti will bring a wealth of experience to Bayern having won the Champions League twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, then with Real Madrid in 2014.
Despite the club’s willingness for him to stay on, Guardiola decided to leave after three seasons in charge. Guardiola flew home to Spain on Sunday to be with his family for Christmas and has given no indication of his future plans.
He will return in January when the Bavarian giants fly to Doha for a training camp before the season resumes on January 22 when they play Hamburg SV away.
“We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season,” Rummenigge said in a statement.
“I am convinced that Pep and the team will work harder to reach the big sporting aims of the club, especially now that it is clear that Pep will leave.”
Guardiola’s departure was widely expected with several top Premier League clubs reportedly in the running to sign the 44-year-old former Barcelona coach, who had won 14 titles in four years at the Spanish club.
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.
But he has yet to lead them to the Champions League title with Bayern losing at the semi-final stage on their previous two attempts.