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Reaction: Ancelotti to replace Pep at Bayern

Ross DunbarDecember 20, 2015

There was no quiet Sunday in Munich. Bayern Munich confirmed Guardiola would be leaving, while Carlo Ancelotti will replace him in the summer. DW's Ross Dunbar expects no mega-changes, but we'd love to hear from you.

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Fußballtrainer Pep Guardiola & Carlo Ancelotti
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Lizon

From next season, Carlo Ancelotti will mark the start of Bayern Munich's 58th different coaching reign as he takes charge from Pep Guardiola who is expected to head for England in the summer.

The change isn't so much a transformation, but more a shift in the demands of the coach. Sporting director Matthias Sammer was a long admirer of Guardiola's Barcelona while working at the German FA and looked to blend Spain's possession-based style with Germany's tactical discipline. With Bayern on the cusp of winning three league championships and still in contention for the Champions League, it has worked so far.

Ancelotti, a former coach at Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSG, won't bring about a tactical metamorphosis at the Allianz Arena. He may tinker with things perhaps, but the 56-year-old Italian is there to man-manage, motivate and bring Bayern closer to the Champions League. The silver-haired boss has won the competition three times and won four championships in four different countries.

Like Jupp Heynckes was post-Louis Van Gaal. Like Heynckes was after Jürgen Klinsmann. Bayern are pretty much reverting to choice with the appointment of Ancelotti. A cool, composed presence and a proven man-manager with an excellent group of players, transformed by Guardiola's influence over the last three seasons.

Forget the exuberance of Pep and his Iberian roots; Ancelotti is here to steer the ship into its final destination. What do you think?

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