One of Pep Guardiola's former Manchester City coaches has delivered an explicit message to the Premier League over the club's 114 guilty charges. The defiant response mirrors sentiments from others linked to the club who are adamant on fighting the guilty verdict.
City have lodged their appeal after being found guilty on all but one count of spending breaches between 2009 and 2018. The appeal process must be completed within 12 weeks of the appeal being submitted, meaning a final judgement should be decided just in time for Christmas.
Guardiola's message to fans
Guardiola sought to reassure fans by posting a message on social media in response to the verdict. Rather than comment on proceedings in detail, he attempted to comfort fans by assuring they "will get through this together."
Others are more impassioned in their responses, including one former City staff member who worked under Guardiola. According to The Times, the 'more established coach' revealed last week just how far he's willing to go to fight the charges.
Coach's blunt response
The coach in question was quoted, saying: "If they [the Premier League] think they are getting my medals back, they can f*** off."
The stripping of titles has been touted as a potential punishment for City if the guilty verdict stands. A hefty fine looks guaranteed as a bare minimum, while a huge points deduction has the potential to cause relegation from the Premier League.
Potential title implications
City won three Premier League crowns over the course of the period of alleged spending offences. Manchester United finished second in two of those campaigns and could be awarded retrospective titles (2012 and 2018), while Liverpool would benefit from the other (2014).
The anonymous coach in question isn't alone in their stubborn stance on the matter. The Times also quoted another member of Guardiola's old crew, a 'long-serving senior member of the medical team', who is alleged to have given their own prickly response to the matter.
It's claimed the staff member in question told friends over dinner three months ago: "We won’t get done. Maybe a fine or something. Nothing more serious than that."
In the event City are stripped of titles, it will have a job on its hands recovering all the medals dispensed over the years. And one recipient in particular from the Guardiola era may prove particularly difficult in parting ways with their prizes.
