Manchester City has confirmed that Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini as manager, with him set to enter his new position at the club in the summer as part of a three-year contract.
Guardiola has repeatedly stated that he wished to move to the Premier League, though had refrained from revealing which club he hoped to manage.
The full statement from Manchester City can be read below:
“Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized contractual negotations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 16/17 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 Pellegrini, 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 spoke of his move away from the club in a press conference, saying: “Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date. I signed for one year more, but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that now. So I finish here June 30, so there is not the speculation.
He added: “The club are not doing anything behind me, I knew this one month ago, but I don’t think it’s good to have rumour or speculation about these things, so I prefer to finish today, which I why I have told the players and I have told the press. I also spoke to the club two weeks ago and said that I would do it.”
45-year-old Guardiola will also conclude his current duties at Bayern Munich in order to move to the Premier League.
