Pep Guardiola has expressed his full backing for Manchester City after an independent commission ruled that the club had violated Premier League financial regulations throughout a nine-year period. In a message to supporters, he said: “We will overcome this together.”
Guardiola departed City during the summer after a highly successful decade at the club. His first two seasons in charge fell within the period examined by the commission. The Spanish coach remains closely connected to chief executive Ferran Soriano, who recruited him to England after the pair had previously worked together at Barcelona. City continue to deny wrongdoing and intend to challenge the ruling before Friday’s deadline.
“I want all Manchester City supporters around the world to understand that I am here now more than ever,” Guardiola wrote on social media. “I have always supported, and will continue to support, my club, the owner, the chairman, Ferran, the players, the staff, Enzo [Maresca] and our extraordinary fans. I want to be absolutely clear: we will face this together. I love you all.”
City collected 20 trophies during Guardiola’s 10 years as manager, and he was repeatedly questioned about the allegations surrounding the club for much of that time. The 55-year-old consistently said he believed the assurances provided by the club’s Abu Dhabi owners while the inquiry continued. The charges were initially filed in February 2023. “I believe them,” Guardiola said in May. “I have spoken to them and have confidence in their conduct and their actions.”
Following Guardiola’s departure, it was announced that he would remain involved as a global ambassador for City Football Group. His responsibilities would include providing technical guidance to its clubs and contributing to selected initiatives and partnerships.
David Bernstein, a former City chairman, has called the club’s current circumstances “extremely damaging” and urged the existing board members to leave their positions.
“It is difficult to imagine a punishment severe enough for something like this. The situation is truly appalling,” said Bernstein, who chaired City from 1998 until 2003. “There is also a serious question about the future of the board. The club’s directors, including the long-serving chief executive who held his position during the period under examination, carry responsibility for every aspect of how the organisation is managed.
“If this were a publicly traded company, its directors would be expected to resign or face suspension until the entire process had concluded, regardless of any appeal. I do not believe the current leadership can realistically remain in place.”
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