Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hints Pep Guardiola has already decided his next club amid Manchester City links

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has claimed he already knows Pep Guardiola's next destination amid links with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. He has also hailed the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as Guardiola's replacement after revealing that "half of Europe was after" the Italian.

The Bundesliga giants announced over the weekend that Ancelotti will lead the team next season after the much sought-after Catalan opted against renewing his contract at the Allianz Arena. Guardiola has been tipped to succeed Manuel Pellegrini at the Etihad Stadium since the beginning of the campaign. However, recent reports have claimed struggling Chelsea and United are also considering tempting the former Barcelona manager in the summer.

Rummenigge has now suggested that Guardiola has already made the decision - but he will not reveal it.

"I think I know where he is going," Rummenigge told Bild. "But I want to leave the announcement to him or his new employer.

"At the Christmas party two weeks ago he came to me, he told me that he was looking for a new challenge and almost apologised. It was clearly difficult for him, I'm not disappointed in him."

The chairman admits the club will miss Guardiola but believes Ancelotti has what it takes to fill his shoes.

Spanish newspaper Marca last week broke the news that the Italian will take over from Guardiola at Bayern next season after having ruled out a return to the Premier League – following approaches from both Chelsea and Manchester United. Rummenigge has now confirmed Bayern were not the only club attracted by the ex-Chelsea boss' experience, although refusing to name the others interested in his services.

"Carlo Ancelotti has been successful everywhere," he said. "He has won the Champions League three times. That is still a record, and of course he has all the qualities. He suits us, as simple as that, half of Europe was after him".