Reports from Spanish publication “Marca” suggest Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola will announce next week that he will leave the club at the end of the season, when his contract expires.
The Spanish publication cited a disconnect between Pep Guardiola’s footballing philosophy and the club’s ethos’ as the reason behind the Spanish coach’s reported decision to leave the club. German sports magazine “kicker” has also reported that one of the the main reasons for Pep’s impending departure is the Spaniard’s unhappiness with the club’s medical team.
Guardiola told journalists following Bayern Munich’s 1-0 German Cup win over Darmstadt on Tuesday that he would announce a decision on his future the following week. Guardiola’s three-year contract at Bayern will come to an end this season, with the club hoping to sign him to an extension.
“Tonight, I have no answer. Next week, you will know the answer,” Guardiola stated on German television channel ARD. “Next week, there will be clarity.”
According to the “kicker” report, the 44-year-old has had a number of problems with the medical team. Following the exit of long-time head doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, Bayern have been laden with injuries – the most troubling of which saw Franck Ribery miss nine months of action only to recently return and suffer further problems.
Ribery is just one of many of the club’s leading players currently sidelined with injury. Alongside captain Philipp Lahm, is Juan Bernat, Medhi Benatia, Mario Götze and David Alaba.
The report from “Marca” suggests that Guardiola would prefer a move to Manchester City, rather than Manchester United.
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“Marca” also went on to report on Pep’s replacement, claiming Italian Carlo Ancelotti has agreed to take over the German champions and will sign a contract to be Bayern’s manager for the next three years.
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Last month, club Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told fans to expect a ‘Christmas surprise’ when asked about the future of Guardiola.
Guardiola has won two Bundesliga titles, the German Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in his two full seasons as Bayern Munich head coach.
The record Bundesliga champions currently sit five points clear ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga table, with one game to play before the annual Winter break.