Pep Guardiola has broken his silence following Manchester City’s financial-rule verdict, offering unequivocal support to the club at one of the most difficult moments of its modern history.
Guardiola stepped down as City manager this summer after a decade in charge but remains connected to the club as a technical adviser and global ambassador.
His response came after an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009/10 and 2017/18, as well as the majority of charges relating to failures to cooperate with the investigation.
Former Man City boss pledges full support
In a statement released after the verdict, Guardiola made clear that his loyalty to City has not changed.
“I want every single Man City fan to know I am here, more than ever.
“I am, always have been and always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together.
His message follows a similarly strong response from City’s hierarchy. Chief executive Ferran Soriano has continued to maintain the club’s innocence, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak previously said their confidence in proving the club’s case remained as strong as ever.
City have announced their intention to appeal. The Premier League’s commission found that the club used “sham” commercial arrangements to inflate revenue and reduce costs by more than £900million, while City have described the ruling as flawed and maintain that they can overturn it.
Guardiola’s words carry weight beyond the dressing room
Guardiola’s intervention matters because his name is inseparable from City’s most successful era.
He won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during his decade in charge, meaning any debate over the legitimacy of that period inevitably touches his legacy as well.
His statement is therefore more than a routine show of support. It sends a message to players, staff and supporters that one of the most influential figures in the club’s history remains firmly aligned with the current leadership.
That does not change the seriousness of the commission’s findings or the sanctions City could eventually face. No punishment has yet been decided, and the appeal process could run for months. Reuters
For City, Guardiola’s backing provides emotional unity. The legal outcome, however, will ultimately be decided away from the pitch.
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