Bayern Munich contact Carlo Ancelotti as Pep Guardiola 'heads' to EPL

Bayern Munich are making plans to replace Pep Guardiola as concern grows at the Bundesliga champions that their coach is heading to Manchester City.

Bayern have identified currently jobless Carlo Ancelotti as the man to replace former Barcelona boss Guardiola, who continues to stall over talks about a new contract.

Guardiola's deal expires at the end of this season and his reluctance to extend it has prompted the belief that he will be on his way to the Etihad after three years with the German giants.

Bayern have now given the 44-year-old Spaniard a New Year deadline.

The Bundesliga's six-week winter break begins the week before Christmas, and the patience of the club's hierarchy has run out.

Bayern are aware aware that their coach has a close relationship with City executives Ferran Soriano and Txiki Begiristain from their time together at Barca.

And that has prompted them to make contact with former AC Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Ancelotti about taking over.

They know that French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also targeting the Italian - who coached them from 2011-13 - as a possible replacement for his own successor, Laurent Blanc.

City insist reports that they have already struck a verbal agreement with Guardiola are inaccurate. But they said the same thing two years ago, when it was claimed Manuel Pellegrini would take over from Roberto Mancini - and the Chilean did eventually arrive at the Etihad.

Pellegrini recently signed a one-year contract extension to 2017.

If he wins the Premier League for the second time in three seasons it would give City a problem, although it has been mooted that the 62-year-old could be employed elsewhere within the club's expanding empire.

Guardiola is City's dream appointment, and they are aware that both Manchester United and Arsenal could both be in the market for a new manager after next season with Louis van Gaal saying he will retire then and Arsene Wenger hinting at his own exit this week.