Pep Guardiola will reportedly be in attendance as Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next week. It will be his first visit to the Etihad Stadium since stepping down as City's manager in the summer.
Guardiola backs former club amid appeal
City remain embroiled in a legal dispute which stands to cast a shadow over Guardiola's decorated decade with the club, after an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 charges of gross financial misconduct and obstructing an investigation. City have appealed the verdict and maintain their innocence.
Guardiola has been quick to back his former employers. Barely 24 hours after the decision was released to the public, he threw his support behind the club, writing: “I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever.”
Return to the Etihad
As reported by The Times, he is now set to return to the Etihad Stadium for the first time since leaving, as reigning European champions PSG visit in the Champions League. It will be a further show of solidarity from Guardiola as the club where he won six Premier League titles continues to fight to clear its name.
It was reported last week that he is keen to be “with his people” at the club during this challenging time.
City confident despite nervous squad
City appear confident of clearing their name, despite a years-long legal process finding them guilty. They claim to hold 'irrefutable' evidence of their innocence. It is said members of the squad are nervous about the sanctions they may face, which could range from expulsion from the Premier League to a fine and a points deduction.
Kyle Walker, the pacey full-back who captained City through some of their most decorated years, acknowledged on Wednesday that the club's reputation had taken a hit, but that he cannot discount its sporting success.
Walker, now plying his trade at Burnley, said on TalkSport: “Obviously it doesn't look great.
“At a personal level, we spent many great years celebrating many trophies, and that's something that, whatever happens, they can't take away because we've experienced them nights.
“We want to be looked upon as winning them trophies the right way. It's very difficult because we worked very hard for them, and not just us, the fans as well. I look at the fans that travelled up and down the country, to Istanbul when we won the Treble, stuff like that — they deserve that night.”
