Bayern are deeply upset with Guardiola’s decision to leave and are already lining up former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement, with the Italian now out of work after leaving Madrid in the summer.
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For their part, Bayern are eager to extend Guardiola’s deal a further 12 months, though talks are yet to kickoff.
The news will be of massive significance to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, who are now surveying the managerial landscape amid doubts over their current bosses.
Sammer, a former midfielder who was capped 51 times by Germany, said: ‘I don’t know how Pep will decide. That said, given the way that group has been playing this season, maybe we should be taking his advice and overhauling the squad this summer. And even Bayern fans got in on the act.
Guardiola acknowledged supporters in jovial fashion, having led the Bavarians to consecutive league titles since moving to the Bundesliga club in 2013. It was a spoof contract to remain Bayern’s coach for the rest of his life.
Another season with Bayern would seem to make little sense if he won the Champions League this season while Guardiola can expect a big salary hike if he moves to the cash-rich Premier League.
Spanish radio station Cadena Cope revealed that Ancelotti “has confirmed to Bayern Munich that he’ll take over from Pep Guardiola” despite interest from Manchester United.
With Chelsea weighing up whether to replace beleaguered boss Jose Mourinho and United now in the midst of a mini-crisis of their own as pressure mounts on boss Louis van Gaal, the lack of proven replacements will be a concern for the hierarchies at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.
Yet the Spaniard has given no indication of where his future lies.
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Guardiola, 44, has made no secret of his want to work within the Premier League at some stage of his profession and Metropolis are at present robust favourites to tempt him from Bayern.
