Pep Guardiola turns his back on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and becomes Bayern Munich manager

Pep Guardiola delivered a resounding snub to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich on Wednesday, agreeing a three-year deal to become manager of Bayern Munich from next season.

Pep Guardiola turns his back on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and becomes Bayern Munich manager
Mixed emotions: Roman Abramovich (left), the Chelsea owner, missed out on his number one choice after Pep Guardiola decided to join Bayern Munich

Guardiola’s decision to return to management in the Bundesliga despite huge interest from England, led by Abramovich, has implications across the Premier League, where Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal were also watching his next move closely.

The move hugely strengthens Rafael Benítez’s position at Chelsea, where he is interim manager. He now has a better chance of persuading the owner, and supporters who have rejected him, that he is the long-term choice.

It also marks a significant victory for Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini, who will now feel more secure in his position at the Etihad, having seen off potential competition from both Guardiola and José Mourinho.

Guardiola, who won 14 trophies in four seasons at Barcelona, including two European Cups, has signed a lucrative deal worth €8 million a year (£6.5 million) and will succeed coach Jupp Heynckes on July 1.

“Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he can make not just Bayern, but all of German football shine,” said Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

“We are pleased that we have managed to convince Guardiola, who was coveted and contacted by many top clubs, to come to Bayern Munich.”

Bayern revealed Guardiola’s move had been in the pipeline since at least before Christmas, when 67 year-old Heynckes told the club he would not be seeking an extension to his existing contract and would instead retire.

Guardiola has been linked with the Chelsea and City jobs throughout the first six months of a sabbatical that followed his resignation as Barcelona coach last summer.

Chelsea and City appeared to be preparing the ground for Guardiola with recent signings on and off the pitch. Chelsea’s summer transfers, including Oscar and Eden Hazard, appeared tailor-made for the Spaniard.

At City, meanwhile, the recruitment of former Barcelona director Txiki Begiristain to work alongside chief executive Ferran Soriano, formerly general manager at the Nou Camp, appeared significant.

Chelsea insist that Guardiola’s decision does not change their strategy of seeing out the season with Benítez in charge and then reviewing the managerial post in the summer. Neither did it come as a huge surprise to the hierarchy as they were aware of the overtures made to Guardiola by the Bavarian club.

It does represent a personal rejection of Abramovich, however, after the Russian failed three times to persuade Guardiola to come to Stamford Bridge.

His decision to grant Roberto Di Matteo an opportunity to take the job full-time from the start of this season was taken only after Guardiola said he would not take the job immediately.

The Spaniard’s potential availability informed the decision to offer Benítez only an interim post, with a contract that expires in May.

That position may now be reviewed. Despite enduring hostility from Chelsea fans, his success instilling greater tactical discipline on a side in transition has been appreciated by Abramovich’s advisers.

However, Benítez again received a negative reaction from Stamford Bridge after his side tossed away a 2-0 lead to be held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton.

The result leaves Chelsea six points off third place, and left supporters who had largely ignored the manager for most of the game booing him at the end.

The Telegraph revealed last week that Benítez had been the subject of interest from Real Madrid, who appear likely to sack Mourinho at the end of the season. An offer from Madrid could leave Abramovich with a difficult decision to make, and there will be speculation that Benítez and Mourinho could trade jobs.

That would come as a surprise to many at Chelsea given the rancorous nature of Mourinho’s departure in 2007. Sources suggest Abramovich would not consider offering him the job, given their history, and the huge pay-off he received when he left.

Given the field of potential successors, which, if Abramovich continues to favour younger appointments, will be long on potential but short on experience, he still cannot be ruled out.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp, Michael Laudrup, of Swansea, Germany manager Joachim Löw, Diego Simeone of Atlético Madrid and Everton's David Moyes could all be rivals for the post.

Guardiola’s move also leaves City without their favoured option as Mancini’s potential successor.

Despite signing a five-year contract at the Etihad after guiding City to the title last season, Mancini’s grip on his job had been weakened by the team’s Champions League elimination before the knockout stages.

It is also no secret that Mancini had viewed Guardiola as a serious rival.