Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed this morning that he will be leaving Ethihad to join this shocking European giant

According to German reports this week, Bayern Munich may go back to former manager Pep Guardiola in their quest to replace Thomas Tuchel.

The decision to fire Tuchel at the end of the current campaign has stymied Bayern’s interest in Xabi Alonso, and the more defeats Erik Ten Hag watches at Old Trafford, the less credible the connections to Manchester United. That led to a Kicker story on Monday speculating that Guardiola may be rehired by Bayern this summer, but the same story also acknowledges that the manager has no plans to leave Manchester City at this moment.

Guardiola would be at City for nine years if his contract were to expire in the summer of 2025. He has previously declared his intention to fulfill the contracts he signs, not quitting a team before the conclusion of a term unless circumstances force him to do otherwise.

Guardiola declared unequivocally last year at his first news conference following the disclosure of those claims, “I am not going from my seat,” and he made it plain that City needed to have a chance to defend their name in a private environment.

Relegation to League Two was one of the possible penalties, he declared at the time, and he would still be in charge. He restated his position earlier this season when he declared that he would be more inclined to remain at City should they be relegated from the top division than should they win the Champions League once more.

You’re asking questions as though we’ve been punished. And up till guilt is established, we are innocent at the time,” he remarked. “I am aware of the desire of the people. After the phrase is completed, we will return here and explain it. So wait and watch. But without a certain, I won’t think about my future if it relies on whether I stay in League One. Not at all.

“Our chances of staying in League One are higher than those of winning the Champions League. What changed, why should I not believe?

“It is not the case since both defenses are made in front of the judge and after he makes his decision by the judge, the court, the Premier League attorneys, and our lawyers. I have not changed my mind on it at all; we should wait and see what they decide before accepting the resolution.”

After guiding City to a triple crown the previous season, Guardiola also talked about his future, adamant that nothing had changed in his mind since he and the Blues had won the Champions League.

Even teasing a possible extension into next summer, he stated, “I signed a contract for another two years because I feel comfortable – and nothing has changed whether we won (the treble) or didn’t win.”

The board and hierarchy in particular are thrilled since they ultimately choose who manager will lead this group of players, hence I am glad as well.

I am happy as long as they are happy. I want to defend our victories and, if I get weary at the conclusion of the season, we can have a conversation with the club or even prolong it.

Josko Gvardiol scores for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City.
As the season progresses and Guardiola’s contract enters its last year, more doubts will be raised about his position, especially as the Premier League decision draws near. Guardiola has already hinted at remaining. CEO of the Premier League Richard Masters promised a decision “soon,” which would affect Guardiola’s contract negotiations as well.

Following their triple, Guardiola flew to Abu Dhabi to present the three medals to City owner Sheikh Mansour. The Blues returned to Abu Dhabi in January for a warm-weather training camp. His regular contacts are with CEO Ferran Soriano, Sporting Director Txiki Begiristain, and chairman Khaloon Al Mubarak.

Though Guaridola recently stated to ESPN Brazil that he would like to coach an international team in a big tournament, it is unclear if Guardiola would be amenable to returning to Bayern after leaving City.

Train a national squad for a European Championship or a World Cup, please. That appeals to me, he replied. “Who would desire me, I wonder? Like a club, a national team has to want you to work for them. I never gave [winning a World Cup] any attention. I never gave winning the Champions League or a league championship any attention when I first started in this. Still not. Have I a job, I wondered? Fair enough.

“I would like to experience living through a World Cup, Euro, Copa América, or whatever it is. That appeals to me.”