Auf wiedersehen, Pep
GERMANY BOUND ... former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has signed a deal with Bayern Munich
Published: 1 hr ago
BAYERN MUNICH have won the race to sign super boss Pep Guardiola.
The former Barcelona manager won 14 trophies in four seasons at the Nou Camp.
He was courted by Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea.
The Spaniard, 41, was also linked with Arsenal and Manchester United — should Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson step down.
But after months of speculation, he has chosen to take over at German giants Bayern from July.
Guardiola, who has spent this season on a sabbatical in New York, has penned a three-year deal at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “We are very pleased that we have managed to convince the football expert Pep Guardiola, who was coveted and contacted by many top clubs, to come to Bayern Munich.
“Guardiola is one of the world’s most successful coaches and we are sure that he can bring a great deal of sparkle notonly to Bayern Munich but to German football in general.”
ON HIS WAY ... Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes will retire at the end of the season
Guardiola will take over from Jupp Heynckes who has decided not to extend his contract and will retire.
The 67-year-old informed the Munich club of his plans before Christmas.
Bayern currently sit nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga and meet Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 next month.
Rummenigge said: “As a club and as Jupp Heynckes’ friends we have to show understanding for this decision. We have to accept it and we have to respect it.
“During personal talks with Jupp Heynckes we assured each other that we will do anything we can, and now even more, to have a successful second half of the season 2012/13 where we want to get the title to Munich.”
Heynckes is in his third spell at Bayern after returning to the club in June 2011.
He was beaten to the Bundesliga title by Borussia Dortmund last season and then lost the Champions League final to Chelsea.
Bayern chairman Uli Hoeness added: “Following the decision of Jupp Heynckes, whose work we are extremely grateful for, we would be very happy if the team would give this great coach a glorious farewell.
“Only someone of the calibre of coach Pep Guardiola was an adequate replacement for Jupp Heynckes.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4747756/Pep-Guardiola-is-Bayern-Munichs-new-manager.html#ixzz2IA2l74nf
