Bayern Munich eye Ancelotti to replace Guardiola

Berlin, Dec 18: German football champions Bayern Munich have already reached a verbal agreement with Italian Carlo Ancelotti to replace Spanish coach Pep Guardiola from next season, according to media reports on Friday.

The agreement, according to the reports, will be announced next week, coinciding with the start of the winter break in the Bundesliga and after the meeting intended this Sunday between Guardiola and the chairman of the Bayern board, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, reports Efe.

Former Bayern coach Bayern Ottmar Hitzfeld was earlier quoted as saying that while Guardiola is a "pioneer" and a "revolutionary" he lacks experience of coaching different teams that has led to a "dramatic change" on the Bayern bench this season.

Ancelotti, however, is a "tactical fox" with flexibility to adapt to the opponent and paternal sensitivity with players who have gone through top European clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid.

Earlier reports revealed the Catalan coach had already informed the leadership of Bayern of his decision not to renew at the end of his contract, valid until the end of the season.