Manchester City has announced that Pep Guardiola will take over as its new manager at the end of the season after Manuel Pellegrini confirmed he will leave the club when his contract expires.
Guardiola had already revealed he would depart Bayern Munich at the conclusion of the 2015-16 campaign and City has now confirmed the Etihad Stadium will be his next destination.
The Premier League club's 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."
Pellegrini revealed he had rejected the chance to sign a new one-year contract with City and insisted the club were not doing anything behind his back. He told a news conference: "I talked with the club and told them I will finish my contract on the original date [June 30]. I could have extended my contract for one more year, but decided not to. There has been a lot of speculation, but they are not doing anything behind me. I don't think it is good for this room to be speculating about me so that is why I have told the press and the players. I spoke with the club two weeks ago."
A proven manager
The 45-year-old Guardiola notched up the treble of Champions League, German Cup and Bundesliga titles in 2013, but in the last two seasons, Bayern have exited the Champions League at the semi-final stage. The ex-Spain international previously coached Barcelona from 2008-12, leading the Catalan giants to domestic and Champions League glory in a remarkable run of success.
The much-travelled Pellegrini, 62, signed for City in 2013, becoming the first Chilean to coach in the Premier League. During his tenure, City have won 64 of the 99 games played. The only coach to have won more in his opening 99 Premier League games is Jose Mourinho (73).
Manchester City, who sits second in the Premier League behind Leicester, remain in the running for four trophies this season.
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