Pep Guardiola to quit Bayern and join Manchester City, according to reports in Spain

The former Barcelona coach, long linked with a move to the Etihad, has already decided he will move away from Germany after three seasons in charge of the Bundesliga giants, with his one remaining desire to manage in England, according to Spanish radio station Cope.

The report states that Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will announce before their winter break on 24 December who is to take charge of the club in 2016-17 - but it will be former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rather than Guardiola.

Although nothing formal has been agreed, the report states that City CEO Ferran Soriano and director Txiki Begiristain, two friends of Guardiola’s from his Barcelona days, have received word from the Catalan coach.

Manuel Pellegrini, whose City team are currently third in the Premier League ahead of their game with Southampton this weekend, has another year to run on his contract but that will be terminated for Guardiola.

There have been no discussions between Ancelotti and Bayern, according to the report.

City have also today been linked with a stunning offer for Lionel Messi in a further attempt to lure Guardiola to the club.

Guardiola has won the Bundesliga in both of his two seasons at Bayern, with the side currently eight points clear of rivals Borussia Dortmund and unbeaten after 13 matches.

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