Posted on 01/16/2013 9:52:15 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
Bayern Munich confirmed on Wednesday that Pep Guardiola has signed a three-year contract to become the German club's new manager, starting in July.
The announcement put an end to the biggest managerial chase in soccer, as several major European clubs had reportedly courted him during his one-year sabbatical from the game.
"We are very pleased that we have succeeded in bringing Pep Guardiola, who was courted by many famous clubs, to Bayern," said the club's chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he can bring a shine not just to Bayern, but to German football."
Guardiola, who won 14 major trophies as manager of Barcelona, had been linked heavily with Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea. Those rumors picked up again earlier in the week when he expressed a desire to work in England at some point in his career. At the same time, Bayern was vehemently denying reports in Germany that the club had tapped Guardiola.
But by moving to Bayern, the world's most sought-after manager is offering a ringing endorsement of the German Bundesliga.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Anything bad for Chelsea is good.
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