BREAKING NEWS: Guardiola to take charge of Man City in summer
Published:
Lee Gormley | February 1, 2016
Guardiola to takeover from Pellegrini
Manchester City have confirmed that Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola will take charge of the club this summer, replacing current coach Manuel Pellegrini, after agreeing a three-year deal at the Etihad.
The present Sky Blues boss Pelelgrini announced that he was to depart his role at the club this summer, with City then confirming that former Barcelona manager Guardiola will take charge at the beginning of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.
Man City are 6/1 with Coral to lift the FA Cup this season, and are still fighting on all fronts, including the Champions League, but Guardiola will still replace Chilean Pellegrini this year.
“Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contract negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 16/17 season onwards,” confirmed a Man City club statement.
Man City confirm appointment
“The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussion that were curtailed in 2012.
#mcfc club statement February 1 2016.
Read: https://t.co/WQpS2BNRm5 pic.twitter.com/hyHNW3hfdZ
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 1, 2016
“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.”
New manager been in pipeline since 2012
Man City confirmed that negotiations with Guardiola were ongoing since 2012, a time when Roberto Mancini had led the club to the Premier League title, with Pellegrini having taken over in 2013 and guiding them to a domestic and League Cup double the following season.
The South American boss has won 64 of his 99 league games as a manager, a record that is only eclipsed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who won 73 of his opening 99 league games as Blues coach.
Guardiola will finish the rest of the campaign in charge of Bayern Munich before joining up with City in the summer, in what are truly exiting times for Citizens fans.
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