Manchester City confirm Pep Guardiola as Manuel Pellegrini's successor

Five weeks after announcing he would leave Bayern Munich after the season, Pep Guardiola already has his next job lined up. Manchester City confirmed in a statement he will take over for Manuel Pellegrini at the end of the season.

"Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalized negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC head coach for the 16/17 EPL season onwards," the statement read. Guardiola will sign a three year contract with the club, the same length of the contract he signed with Bayern in 2013.

Manchester City currently sit third in the English Premier League, winning the title twice in the last four years. Despite being trophy-less last season, Pellegrini signed a one-year contract extension to remain on the blue side of Manchester.

Manchester City admitted this announcement was an attempt to remove distracting speculation around the club. "Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the club wishes to make this decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation," they said in their statement. "Manuel Pellegrini, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season for the season ahead and retains his the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the club.