Premier League giants Manchester City have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich tactician Pep Gurdiola to manage the English side next season. This comes just a few hours after Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that he would quit his post on June 30, 2016, hence paving way for the former Barcelona manager to take over at the Etihad Stadium.
Pellegrini would be leaving The Citizens one year before the end of his contract. City released a statement on their website confirming that Guardiola had agreed a three-year deal to succeed the Chilean.
The statement read:
"Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016/17 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, 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."
The shocking revelation has officially ended speculations over Pep’s future after leaving the Bavarians at the end of the second.
Manchester City's website crashed moments after annoucing the Pep Guardiola deal.
The news attracted mixed reactions on social media; as Man City fans celebrated the latest developments at their club, their neighbours Man United were furious that they had failed to capture the services of the experienced tactician at a time when they needed the perfect replacement for Luis Van Gaal, who has been having a hot and cold season at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are yet to regain their previous lethal form that they experienced under the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, and Pep Guardiola seemed to be the right man for the job.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter:
#United fans after the announcement of Pep Guardiola will be taking over at Manchester #City may as well be like
"Didn't fancy her anyway"
— Dan Tracey (@dantracey1983) February 1, 2016
Can't help but feel City and Pep acted really poorly with regard to Manuel #Guardiola #PepGuardiola
— Mehall Mekitchen (@batmans_master) February 1, 2016
To think when i was my brother's age I was watching us under Keegan, he's gonna get to watch us under Pep Guardiola. Mad that.
— Danny (@DannyM__MCFC) February 1, 2016
Done man City winning the league next year. He still will have to learn the English way of football #PepGuardiola
— james lamps (@lampetey) February 1, 2016
Pep guardiola agenda gets bigger now . Can't wait when vardy hits him on the counter and his hipster tactics fails
— Nitish Bassi (@Nitishbassi) February 1, 2016
I see Pep Guardiola failing in his first two seasons in England.
— PHOENIX R. (@soezea) February 1, 2016
Pep Guardiola has won 19 titles in 384 games as a manager.
That's a trophy in every 20 matches.
Brilliant.
— JAGABAN (@UNCLE_AJALA) February 1, 2016
Pep Guardiola to-do list:
- Win PL
- Win another CL
- Win over people on Twitter
— Milana Knežević (@milanaknez) February 1, 2016
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