Last Updated: Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:09
Chelsea's dreams of Pep Guardiola becoming their next permanent manager have been dashed as he has signed a deal with Bayern Munich.
The Spaniard is currently taking a year out of the game following four highly successful seasons with Barcelona and he has subsequently been linked with a number of high-profile clubs throughout Europe.
Following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo earlier this term, it had been rumoured that Blues owner Roman Abramovich had earmarked Guardiola as his first choice to take on the role, once interim manager Rafael Benitez's short-term contract expires at the end of the campaign.
However, the 41-year-old has now agreed a three-year-deal at the Allianz Arena which will see him replace Jupp Heynckes, after the veteran confirmed that he'll retire in the summer.
"We are very pleased that we have succeeded, the football expert Pep Guardiola, who was courted by many famous clubs and contacts to win for Bayern," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he cannot just Bayern, but the German football give lots of shine. We look forward to continuing to work from July 2013."
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