Manchester City have confirmed Pep Guardiola will succeed Manuel Pellegrini as manager this summer.

Guardiola will take over at the Etihad Stadium on a three-year deal with Pellegrini set to officially depart on June 30.

The 45-year-old Spaniard announced in December that he would leave current club Bayern Munich in May after three years at the helm, with an intention to coach in England next season.

A statement issued by the club said: "Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised 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."

What Guardiola brings
How does Pep Guardiola do it? We examine his methods as he is confirmed as Man City's next manager.
The club's surprise statement ends considerable speculation linking them with outgoing Bayern Munich boss Guardiola and over Pellegrini's future.

The 62-year-old Chilean revealed the news at the end of a press conference to preview tomorrow night's clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

"Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date," Pellegrini said.

"I signed for one year more [in August he extended his contract until the summer of 2017] but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that now. So I finish here 30 June, so there is not the speculation.

"The club are not doing anything behind me. I knew this one month ago but I don't think it's good to have rumour or speculation about these things, so I prefer to finish today, which I why I have told the players and I have told the press. I also spoke to the club two weeks ago and said that I would do it."

The much-travelled Pellegrini signed for City in 2013, becoming the first Chilean to coach in the Premier League.

During his tenure, City have won 64 of the 99 games played. The only coach to have won more in his opening 99 Premier League games is Jose Mourinho (73).

Manchester City, who sit second in the Premier League behind Leicester, remain in the running for four trophies this season.

Originally Posted by GiRTh (Post 8481242)

I wonder how much they are paying him? Must be a fortune.

Originally Posted by _LucasMichael_ (Post 8481258)

Phenomenal.

Originally Posted by Tarryn (Post 8481288)

Pep has taken the easy route again.
He keeps going to clubs that are loaded & have very little work needed.
That's why he has shunned us at United.
He would need to work hard for us to get back to the top & he would not place his reputation on the line.

Originally Posted by AnnieK (Post 8481292)

Came in to say this....no shock to me, United need too much work, Pep isn't that kind of manager.

Looking forward to what happens at United, I've been told by a scout for another prem club who told me at we have a done deal at Utd but not till summer.

Originally Posted by Adam. (Post 8481303)

He won't be able to be as dominant in England

Originally Posted by GiRTh (Post 8481308)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35461090

Guardiola has lost just 19 of the 239 league games he has managed. Less than 8%. That is astonishing.

Originally Posted by Tarryn (Post 8481288)

Pep has taken the easy route again.
He keeps going to clubs that are loaded & have very little work needed.
That's why he has shunned us at United.
He would need to work hard for us to get back to the top & he would not place his reputation on the line.

Originally Posted by Ryan57 (Post 8481314)

Fantastic from City. That's them dominating domesticaly for the next three years at least.



Shunned United? More like we never even went for him as we have no ambition. City have put in the leg work to get Pep for years. City still need work to compete with the best in Europe.

Originally Posted by GiRTh (Post 8481285)

Looks like you're gonna dominate for the next three seasons. This is probably a bigger signing than any player. On SSN they're now talking about Messi coming to the Etihad. :facepalm:

Originally Posted by Tarryn (Post 8481317)

I know we never went in for him. We have rested on our reputation for years & now we are paying the price.
I was just saying that by going to City means he will never manage us now despite being clear he wanted to.

Originally Posted by _LucasMichael_ (Post 8481337)

He was always coming to us because of the Txiki and Soriano factor. They got him the Barca job. He was never going to betray them. I think Txiki would have killed him.

Originally Posted by MTVN (Post 8481388)

Seems a bit strange timing to me. I guess most people expected Pellegrini to go at the end of the year anyway but it still seems like it could be quite disruptive when City are still in contention for four trophies this season