Pep Guardiola Exit Announced by Bayern Munich: Latest Details and Reaction

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola will leave the club at the end of the season, the Bundesliga champions announced on Sunday.

Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who is unattached, will take over from the 2016/17 season:

In a statement on the club's official website, Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thanked Guardiola and explained the thinking behind appointing Ancelotti:

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We are grateful to Pep Guardiola for everything he has given our club since 2013. I am convinced that Pep and our team will now work even more intensively towards achieving our major sporting goals—especially as it is now confirmed that Pep is to leave FC Bayern.

Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed success everywhere as a coach and has won the Champions League three times. Carlo is a calm, balanced expert, who knows how to deal with stars and favours a multifaceted style of play—we were looking for this, and we have found it. We are looking forward to working with him.

"

Bild (h/t Agence France-Presse via Sky Sports) claimed Guardiola had decided on an exit some time ago. The coach candidly admitted to German broadcaster ARD earlier in December (h/t Gerard Brand of Sky Sports): "Tonight I have no answer. Next week you will know the answer. Next week there will be clarity."

Guardiola has been a huge success during his spell in Germany, joining Bayern in 2013 and leading the club to two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and the Club World Cup. A third league title looks likely to follow this season too.

Bayern honorary president Franz Beckenbauer hinted to Munich-based newspaper Merkur the coach could be tempted by a move to Manchester United (h/t Brand): "Pep is interesting for every top club in the world. That's just normal. He can pick his club and, in terms of popularity, Manchester United might be the number one worldwide."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

However, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Manchester City are the big favourites to land his signature.

Guardiola is proven at the highest level with both Barcelona and the Bavarians, and he will likely be the preferred choice of any of Europe's elite should they require a fresh approach and new manager.

During his time as manager of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, the former midfielder assembled arguably the greatest football team of all time. The Blaugrana swept aside all before them with Guardiola at the helm, winning two Champions League crowns and three Liga titles; Barca also won a famous treble under his astute guidance in 2008-09.

The Catalan eased into the German culture with ease upon taking the Bayern job in 2013 after a year-long sabbatical, maintaining his principles and philosophies about how the game should be played.

Guardiola's departure will require Bayern to rethink the direction of the club as they get used to life without their dynamic coach. However, during stints with Real Madrid and AC Milan, Ancelotti proved he is a quality replacement.

The Italian has won the Champions League three times in his managerial career, twice with the Rossoneri and once with Real Madrid. He's a manager renowned for adding the finishing touches to capable teams and is hugely popular with players too. Given the star quality at Bayern, all the tools are in place for Ancelotti to be a huge success.