Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season in order to fulfil his ambition of coaching in the Premier League.

Guardiola, heavily linked in recent weeks with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, told a press conference: “I need a new challenge and I want to use that chance to be a manager in England.

“I want to experience the atmosphere in England and I look forward to [WORKING AT]the stadiums there. I am 44 and it is the right time. There are offers but I haven’t signed for anyone yet. When I have a new club I will let everyone know.

“The atmosphere in the Bayern squad is super and I will do everything I can to keep it that way. I will give my absolute best until the end.”

Guardiola also ruled out the prospect of trying to take any Bayern Munich players with him to the Premier League, saying: “I will not take any players. They have to stay here.”

Manuel Pellegrini recently denied that the speculation surrounding Guardiola’s availability had affected his Manchester City squad, saying: “If they are distracted by that sort of thing, they are not professionals, not top players.

“This sort of thing is a fact of life at big clubs, you must separate the present and the future for your work. Look at all the most important teams in Europe, all of them have had moments where the manager is going to be sacked. Sometimes the speculation is true, sometimes not, but you cannot let it affect you.”

Guardian services