MANCHESTER CITY stole the headlines on transfer deadline day yesterday by confirming that Pep Guardiola will be their new manager in the summer, signing a three-year deal.

The club confirmed the worst-kept secret in football after the end of current manager Manuel Pellegrini’s press conference, in which the Chilean said he would step down at the end of the season.

Man City said their efforts to bring in Guardiola began in 2012, before the ex-Barcelona boss took a one-year sabbatical before joining Bayern Munich.

And it was not lost on the public that 2012 was the season in which Roberto Mancini won the league on the nail-biting final day of the season, beating QPR 3-2 to snatch the title away from Manchester United.

Rumours were that United were eyeing up the Catalan, who announced before Christmas that he would be leaving Bayern, but the club denied they ever approached Guardiola to replace under-pressure boss Louis van Gaal.

Despite Guardiola telling the world in his autobiography that he would like to one day manage City’s arch-rivals United, the Citizens had always been perceived as heavy favourites to win the race for his signature, with City football director Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano having worked with Guardiola at Barcelona.

Man City thanked Pellegrini, saying: “Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.

“Manuel Pellegrini, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the club.”

Chelsea had reportedly been interested in bringing Guardiola to west London, after sacking Jose Mourinho for the second time in December.

However, it is City that ultimately won the race for one of the most sought-after managers in world football, having won 14 trophies in four seasons at Barca and then winning two Bundesliga titles with Bayern.