Pep Guardiola lays low as Manchester City talk grows

Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola pulled out of his pre-match press conference yesterday as speculation escalated he has decided to leave the club for Manchester City at the end of the season.

Reports in Spain - including in Catalonian newspaper ARA and El Mundo Deportivo - have claimed Guardiola has agreed to take over at the Etihad Stadium. Both reports claim the former Spain midfielder will inform the record Bundesliga champions before Christmas of his decision to leave.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated on Thursday an announcement would be made regarding Guardiola’s future before the end of the year.