Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that he will leave the Spanish club this summer.
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His announcement clears the way for a move to Manchester City, where he is widely expected to succeed sacked manager Roberto Mancini.
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The 59-year-old announced his departure at an awards ceremony in Malaga.
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He said: "I am not leaving because of financial ambition, but because of a sporting project that will allow me to feel fulfilled."
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"On Sunday, I will take charge of my last match at the Rosaleda," added Pellegrini. "Everyone has the right to follow their own path.
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"I would like to thank the owners of the club for putting their trust in me."
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The Chilean, who has previously managed Villarreal and Real Madrid, led Malaga to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2012-13. They were knocked out by finalists Borussia Dortmund.
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It was Malaga's inaugural Champions League campaign, having qualified by finishing fourth in Pellegrini's first full season in charge.
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Manchester City, the 2012 Premier League champions, dismissed Mancini with two games of the 2013 season to go after failing to retain the title and losing 1-0 in the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic.
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Mancini's assistant Brian Kidd is currently managing the team on their tour to America.
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Pellegrini, a former Chile international, also guided Villarreal into Europe's top competition for the first time in their history during his time as their manager between 2004 and 2009.
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The club reached the semi-finals in 2006 before being beaten by Arsenal.
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Pellegrini took over at Real Madrid in June 2009 but only lasted a season at the Bernabeu.
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Real won 31 of their 38 league games in 2009-10 but finished runners-up behind Barcelona, while they were knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by French side Lyon.
He would be a better coach at Manchester City. I am very sure he'll move over to the Ethiad Stadium.