Pep Guardiola could be axed as Bayern Munich manager before the end of the season if his side fail to progress in the Champions League, according to the Sunday Express.

The Spaniard confirmed last week that he would be taking over from Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City this summer, with Carlo Ancelotti replacing him at the Allianz Arena in a rare set of advance managerial announcements.

Although Bayern remain on course for their third successive Bundesliga title under Guardiola, he will reportedly instead be judged on the team's performance in the round-of-16 clashes with Juventus in Europe's elite competition.

The newspaper claims that the Bayern hierarchy are "worried that Guardiola's mind is already elsewhere" and are considering handing him "an earlier-than-planned exit" depending what happens in the coming weeks.

Under Guardiola, Bayern have reached the semi-finals twice, losing out to Real Madrid and his former club Barcelona.