Pep Guardiola’s decision to leave Bayern Munich will spark a scramble between Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United for the world’s hottest managerial property this summer.

Former Barcelona boss Guardiola will quit Germany at the end of the season and the Barclays Premier League’s leading lights are all desperate for him to pick them next.

With Carlo Ancelotti set to take over at Bayern, the hugely-successful Spaniard’s availability has Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal all sweating over their futures.

Pep Guardiola’s decision to leave his Bayern Munich post will spark a scramble for his servces

Guardiola is well on his way to a sixth league title in seven seasons of management, and that incredible record is coupled with two Champions League wins and three domestic cup triumphs.

Here, Sportsmail looks at why the Premier League’s three dominant teams of the last decade are gagging for Guardiola.

MANCHESTER CITY

Everything is already set up perfectly for Pep in the East side of Manchester with City bosses following a Barcelona blueprint that would suit him down to the ground.

City have former Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain and vice-president Ferran Soriano, who have both worked with Guardiola, in charge of their football operations. They have remained in close contact with their distant colleague.

Meanwhile, despite winning the Premier League title in his first year, Chilean coach Pellegrini has never quite felt safe in his role with a Guardiola-shaped shadow looming.

Manchester City stars Sergio Aguero and David Silva would surely thrive under Guardiola’s leadership

This season’s title favourites are ready to bring in the world’s most in-demand boss, and will hope his first game is in next season’s Community Shield if all goes well with this campaign.

All indications point to the Etihad complex – complete with its upgraded academy which Guardiola would value – being an ideal home for the departing Bayern boss.

This is the opportunity City have been waiting for. 

Chilean Manuel Pellegrini has never quite felt safe in his role with a Guardiola-shaped shadow looming

CHELSEA

Despite winning the title only a few months ago, Mourinho – Guardiola’s biggest rival from La Liga – is struggling to stay in his job once again at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s title defence has fallen to pieces and the eyes of the boardroom are already on the lookout for a new man to take charge.

Guus Hiddink looks the most likely candidate if Mourinho is relieved of his position immediately, but there has always been an admiration in the corridors of Stamford Bridge for Guardiola.

Jose Mourinho – Guardiola’s big rival from La Liga – is struggling to stay in his job at Stamford Bridge

The champions have tried to secure the 44-year-old’s signature at least twice before and with a likely need for a new appointment at the end of this season, the timing could be perfect now.

Roman Abramovich is thought to be a big fan, having failed to coax stubborn Mourinho out of his first-thought-defensive ways with Guardiola’s tiki-taka a much-preferred way forward.

Bayern-bound Ancelotti would not be available for a Stamford Bridge return, and having sacked most of the world’s top bosses, Abramovich would have few choices other than his No 1 target.

Guardiola took charge of Barcelona as Chelsea beat the Catalan giants in the 2012 Champions League

MANCHESTER UNITED

Van Gaal is already planning his retirement for 2017 but he could be forced out of the doors at Old Trafford sooner if the current worrying run continues – particularly with Pep on the horizon.

United wanted Guardiola in after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, but instead they ended up with David Moyes. They have been linked with Ancelotti recently but would instead be able to get the man he is replacing.

Guardiola was said to have a desire to add United to his managerial CV in a book providing an insight into his career last year and now he has the prospect of doing so.

Guardiola’s availability will have Manchester United’s boss Louis van Gaal sweating over his future

At Old Trafford, the former Barca boy would have the long-standing groundwork of a European superpower all set up for him and a huge transfer budget to sculpt his squad with.

European football looks likely – something Chelsea may not be able to offer – while the prospect of a return to winning ways after four years without a title could offer an appeal.

Despite whisperings from the United camp that they would not be interested in Guardiola, the opportunity to get the best manager on the market – and one that rivals City want – could be too tempting to pass up.

Guardiola managed Bayern at Old Trafford during David Moyes’ tenure at United’s helm in April 2014