Three-time Champions League-winning coach Carlo Ancelotti has signed a three-year deal to replace Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich next season after the Spaniard decided not to extend his contract at the German champion. Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the much-anticipated change in manager Sunday, saying the deal with Ancelotti has been completed. "We are thankful to Guardiola for all he gave our club and hope to celebrate more success in the current season," Rummenigge said in a statement. "I am convinced that Pep and the team will work harder to reach the big sporting aims of the club, especially now that it is clear that Pep will leave." Guardiola's departure was widely expected with several top Premier League clubs reportedly in the running to sign the 44-year-old former Barcelona coach, who had won 14 titles in four years at the Spanish club. The Spaniard took over after Bayern's 2012-13 treble-winning season and consolidated their domestic dominance with back-to-back league titles and a German Cup in his first two seasons in charge. But he has yet to lead it to the Champions League title with Bayern losing at the semifinal stage on its previous two attempts. Bayern is top of the league this season and through to the Champions League knockout stage and can still win the treble. Guardiola is revered among Bayern fans for his knowledge of the game but has also been criticized for his run-ins with a former long-time Bayern doctor and allowing club icon Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave last season. "Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed success as a coach everywhere and has won the Champions League three times," Rummenigge said. "Carlo is a quiet, balanced professional who knows how to deal with stars and play a game with a lot of variety. That is what we were looking for and that is what we found." The 56-year-old Ancelotti has won the Champions League twice with AC Milan and once with Real Madrid while also winning a string of other titles with Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Juventus. "I am very honored that I will be the coach of the big FC Bayern Munich from next season," Ancelotti said. — Reuters
