Pep Guardiola is set to return to the Etihad Stadium for the first time since leaving Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season. The former manager will attend next Wednesday's Champions League meeting with reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The visit comes after an independent commission found the club guilty on all charges of breaking Premier League financial rules and most charges of a failure to cooperate with the investigation. The charges relate to the 2009-18 period, with Guardiola in the dugout for the last two of those nine years.
Show of solidarity
City have launched an appeal and continue to protest their innocence. Guardiola's return has been described as a show of solidarity, with the Mail reporting that he will be joined by board members including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
The Catalan coach sent a clear message on social media, writing: "I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano] the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
Guardiola's City legacy
Guardiola won one league title in the two seasons he was in charge between 2009-18, leading City to a league record 100 points in the 2017/18 campaign. He later added five more league titles and several other trophies, securing a Treble in 2022/23.
City finished second behind Arsenal in his final season and he stepped down ahead of the final game of the campaign. His successor Enzo Maresca, who previously served on Guardiola's coaching staff, has the team top of the table with maximum points from five games.
Club defends position
Chief executive Ferran Soriano, who worked closely with Guardiola, has already defended City in a video statement shared in September. "The whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation - that the owner's personal money was somehow and secretly put into the club via some sponsors from Abu Dhabi," he said.
"This is just not true. Irrefutable evidence has been provided to the Premier League commission that shows it could not happen and that it did not happen. This includes bank statements, money transfers, witnesses, and everything necessary to categorically demonstrate the money did not come from the owner."
