BERLIN, Germany, January 16 – Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola will take over as Bayern Munich head coach for the 2013/14 season, the Bundesliga giants confirmed Wednesday, with the Spaniard offered a contract until 2016.
The 41-year-old Guardiola, who has twice coached Barcelona to the Champions League title, will replace current Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, whose contract expires in June, just after his 68th birthday.
Guardiola, who is currently living in New York with his family, resigned as Barcelona coach last year after four years coaching the Spanish giants but chose to snub the English Premier League in what will be seen to be a major coup for the rival German Bundesliga.
He had been linked with Manchester rivals United and City as well as European champions Chelsea since taking a break from the game at the end of last season.
Earlier, Munich dismissed growing speculation Guardiola was set to succeed Jupp Heynckes as the German giants’ head coach for the 2013/14 season.
“It’s all nonsense, we will first of all talk with Jupp Heynckes, he is our one and only contact,” insisted Bayern’s media director Markus Hoerwick.
Sky Italia on Monday reported the 41-year-old Spaniard, who won the Champions League title in 2009 and 2011 with Barcelona, has decided to coach Bayern next season.
