Manchester City have confirmed that Pep Guardiola will replace Manuel Pellegrini this summer.
Goal revealed at the start of January that City
had already won the race for the 45-year-old after he revealed his
decision to leave Bayern Munich when his contract expires at the end of
the season.
Pellegrini had remained tight-lipped over his own
future following Guardiola's announcement, but now City have confirmed
that the Chilean, who signed a contract extension until 2017 last
August, will be not be staying on beyond the end of the season.
A statement from City read: “Manchester City can confirm that in
recent weeks it has commented and finalised contractual negotiations
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 of retaining the respect and commitment of
all involved with the leadership of the Club.”
Pellegrini has
revealed that he was informed of the club's decision a month ago and
claims he will leave on the terms of the original contract he signed
when he joined City in 2013.
"Before I finish, I want to tell you
I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the
original date,” said the Chilean.
"I signed for one year more,
but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that stuff
now, so I finish here on the original date, June 30, so there is not
the speculation