Offical: Carlo Ancelotti To Replace Pep Guardiola

Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Pep Guardiola will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti next summer when the Spaniard's three-year contract comes to an end.

 44 years old Pep Guardiola will leave the Bundesliga giants and is expected to take over at Manchester City. Guardiola, who has won back-to-back league titles in Germany since taking up the reins at the Allianz Arena, has decided to embark on a fresh challenge. Rummenigge had this to say about Guardiola's decision to leave the club: “We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season. With Ancelotti we have another very successful coach coming to Bayern. We are looking forward to working together”.

Bayern have moved quickly to appoint Ancelotti following Guardiola's refusal to put pen to paper on a contract extension. Ancelotti is an extremely experienced coach, who has tasted success in Italy, England and Spain during his 20-year managerial career. Ancelotti, who has agreed a three-year deal with Bayern, is currently enjoying a year-long sabbatical following his departure from Real Madrid in May 2015. The Italian had this to say ahead of his move to Bayern: “It's an honour for me to be a part of this great club next season, FC Bayern Munich. When I knew of the club's interest I didn't want to consider any other offer, I honestly wish FC Bayern Munich and my friend Pep Guardiola the best for the current season. I wish a merry and peaceful Christmas and a happy new year to all Bayern fans and to all of you”.

The 56-year-old's latest feat saw him lead Real Madrid to their 10th European Cup win just 12 months before he was dismissed by the La Liga giants. Ancelotti had been linked with a move back to Chelsea following Jose Mourinho's sacking but the former Chelsea coach also ruled out the possibility of taking a job in mid-season as he wanted to return to management in the summer.  He also flirted with the idea of managing Manchester United if Louis van Gaal was to get the boot by insisting it would be hard to reject an offer from the Red Devils. Ancelotti who spoke with the Independent at the beginning of December said “Of course, for every manager, they would all think of managing Manchester United. I would like to come back in a club with a good project, but, of course, one that is competitive. The Premier League is the best in the sense of atmosphere, ambiance. It is also competitive, so I would like to come back, especially for the atmosphere”.

Bayern are currently topping the table with eight points ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga table going into the winter break. The club recently tied key players Xabi Alonso, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez and Thomas Muller down to new deals.