Thursday 17 December 2015 16:41, UK
Pep Guardiola will next week announce he is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, according to reports in the German media.
The former Barcelona coach said earlier this week he would make an announcement on his future before Christmas, but German newspaper Bild claims he has 'already sorted out his future'.
Last month Barcelona daily Sport reported he had already given his word to former Barca colleagues Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain, Manchester City's chief executive and director of football respectively, that he would join them at the Etihad next season.
"Everything points to his leaving," said Bild, adding that the 44-year-old was aware of the dangers of 'out-staying his welcome if he remained at Bayern'.
"He is someone who enjoys a challenge and that is why he joined Bayern Munich in 2013."
Guardiola has won two titles and a German Cup since taking over at the Allianz Arena in the summer of 2013 following a year out of football. Prior to that he won the Champions League twice, three La Liga titles and two Copa del Reys in a four-year spell at the Nou Camp.
And Spanish newspaper Marca says Bayern have already lined up former Chelsea coach and three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti as his replacement.
"The Italian coach sealed his agreement with Bayern last week," it read on its website. "He will sign for three seasons and the announcement will be made next week, when confirming the change on the bench at the Allianz Arena."
Sky Bet make Guardiola odds-on favourite to be in charge at the Etihad next season but Sky Sports pundit Alan McInally insists a move to rivals Manchester United should not be ruled out.
Speaking to Sky Sports Now, the former Bayern Munich striker said: "He has the will and desire to prove he wants to achieve move at a foreign club.
"And I presume that if he does leave next week then he already has a job lined up. He must have spoken to someone otherwise why would he leave a club like Bayern Munich, one of the biggest clubs in the world?
"I genuinely don't know where he will go but Manchester United will be high on the list, I would imagine, for the simple reason they are struggling. If Louis van Gaal keeps going the way he is then there is no chance he will be there next year."
