Pep Guardiola had full faith in Manchester City amid the 115 charges levied against them by the Premier League. The ex-City boss will no doubt be taken aback by his former club being found guilty of 114 of them.
The sanctions on Enzo Maresca's side have yet to be decided and could potentially include a fine, a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League. City deny guilt and are expected to appeal the decision.
Guardiola's stance during the charges
The Citizens were first hit with the charges three-and-a-half years ago during Guardiola's reign. He insisted before his departure earlier this year that he had total belief that the club had acted in good faith.
The alleged breaches of the Premier League financial rules that City have been found guilty of are said to have taken place between 2009 and 2018. Guardiola, who was appointed in 2016, staunchly defended the club throughout his tenure and when asked why he did so, the legendary manager simply said: "I trust them."
He added: "I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened."
A potential return and loyalty pledge
A return to Manchester could be on the cards after Guardiola teased he'd come back to the City for a press conference if an outcome on the charges came out. He said: "If you find me, yeah, but that will be difficult."
Guardiola attempted to ease the fans' stress about the looming charges in November 2024, when he promised to stay with the club if they were relegated. He inked a new two-year contract to further demonstrate his loyalty to the club and said to Sky Sports at the time: "You have my interviews here that say the same, so not because now I extend the contract and pretend to be, 'Oh how nice is Pep?'
"I said six months ago, one year ago when all the clubs accused us of having done something - what happened if you got relegated? I will be here. I don't know the position of the conference they're going to bring us, we're going to come up and come up, we're going to come back to the Premier League. I knew it then, I feel it now."
Club's response to the verdict
A City statement regarding the latest bombshell news read: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023."
"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
