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After a few months of jolly speculation and suspicion on where Pep Guardiola might be headed to after announcing his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of this season, the wait is over. Today, Manchester City announced that Guardiola will be their manager next season and promptly broke the Internet.
"Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016/17 EPL season onwards."
"The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012. Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the Club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation."
"Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the club."
It was rumoured that Chelsea were one of the clubs interested in Guardiola's services, but it's likely we never really had a chance, considering that City had previously laid groundwork to build on. At City, Pep will also get to work with two people from days at Barcelona, including football director Txiki Begiristain and CEO Ferran Soriano.
Guardiola will no doubt have a big budget to mould and rebuild City's aging squad in his own vision and that should be a scary proposition as far as the rest of the Premier League goes. Your move, Chelsea.