The news we had all been waiting for.
Manchester City have announced that Pep Guardiola will be taking over as the club’s manager next season, with Manuel Pellegrini laving the club.
The Spaniard had already announced he was heading to the Premier League, and despite the hope a mong fans of Manchester United and Chelsea that the Bayern Munich boss would pitch up there, City were always in pole position and have confirmed the appointment – on a three-year deal – this afternoon.
The announcement was made moments after Manuel Pellegrini dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving the end of the club at the end of his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Sunderland.
City confirmed that they had held ‘curtailed’ discussions with Guardiola in 2012, but they have finally got their man in the form of the Barcelona legend, who links up with former colleagues Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano at the Etihad.
A club statement read:
Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016/17 EPL season onwards.
The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.
Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.
Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club.
Just a hunch, but this news from Man City might seriously impact on any chance an Aiden McGeady loan move will be back page splash tomorrow.
— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) February 1, 2016
