The 41-year-old former Barca coach left Camp Nou in 2012 having won 14 trophies with the La Liga side during his four seasons in charge and has signed a three-year deal with the Bundesliga club until 2016.

Guardiola had been linked with a host of top-flight clubs across Europe, but Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement he was delighted to have captured the Spaniard.

"We are very happy that we managed to land the expert Pep Guardiola for our club. He was contacted by lots of big clubs," Rummenigge said.

"Pep is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are convinced that he will not only shine for Bayern but for the whole of German football. We look forward to our common work from July 2013 on."

Heynckes, who has been in charge of the German side since 2011, told Bayern officials that he would not be continuing in his role before Christmas.

And Rummenigge praised the outgoing Bayern boss, adding that securing the Bundesliga title would be a fitting send off for Heynckes.

"As a club and as Jupp Heynckes' friends we have to show understanding for this decision. We have to accept it and we have to respect it," he said.

"During personal talks with Jupp Heynckes we assured each other that we will do anything we can, and now even more, to have a successful second half of the season 2012-13 where we want to get the title to Munich.“

Bayern lead the Bundesliga, nine points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.