Bayern Munich announce Guardiola as new coach

Bayern Munich have announced that Pep Guardiola will become the club's new coach when Jupp Heynckes' contract expires in June.

Heynckes will stay on in his post until the end of this season before retiring, at which point the former Barcelona coach will take over on a deal that runs until June 2016.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern's chief executive, said: "We are delighted that we have managed to get Pep Guardiola whom several big clubs wanted and contacted. He is one of the most successful trainers in the world and we are sure that not only Bayern Munich but the whole of German football will benefit from what he brings."

The news comes 24 hours after Bayern's media director Markus Horwick described claims the club had approached Guardiola to take over as "complete rubbish", and Guardiola himself said he hoped to manage in the Premier League.

Chelsea and Manchester City were strongly linked with Guardiola, with Roman Abramovich signalling his intention to take him to Chelsea by pointedly handing Rafael Benítez the title of "interim manager".

Guardiola, 41, replaced Frank Rijkaard at Barca in 2008 and during his four years at the Nou Camp he led the club to 13 trophies, making him the most successful coach in the club's history.