‘Something on your mind, Pep?’: Manchester City boss Guardiola cuts a forlorn figure watching his side during training amid the club’s battle with the Premier League over financial charges that have rocked the Etihad outfit
- Pep Guardiola is back on the training ground amid Manchester City’s turmoil
- The club have been charged in regards of over 100 breaches of financial rules
- The Manchester City manager’s future is unclear following the charges
Pep Guardiola was left looking a forlorn figure while taking charge of Manchester City training after the club were hit by multiple financial charges by the Premier League.
The champions were left stunned on Monday after the Premier League charged with more than 100 breaches in relation to financial rules.
The consequences could prove severe for the club, with a points deduction or even expulsion from the top flight among the list of possible punishments if they are found guilty.
However, with City keen to fight the case the final conclusion to the scandal could take years to arrive.
But the saga still leaves a dark cloud hanging over the club, with Guardiola left looking pensive as he watched training while sitting alone on Monday.
Pep Guardiola looks on as he takes charge of Manchester City training on Monday
The Manchester City boss was left facing up to his side’s Premier League charges
Kevin De Bruyne (left) and Finley Burns of Manchester City train for the club on Monday
The financial charges have cast major doubt over the future of the City manager , with Betfair pricing him at odds-on to leave his post before the start of next season.
The Spaniard is also third in the running to be the Premier League’s next managerial departure, just nine months since he guided City to a fourth league title in five seasons.
However, many fear he could walk away in light of the charges, especially when taking a look back at the threat he made to the club during their recent Financial Fair Play investigation.
He revealed last year: ‘If I defend the people and the club it’s because I work with them. When I asked about suspicions or if our people have done something, then I say to them, “tell me”.
‘I said to them “if you lie to me, the day after I’m not here, I will be out and you will not be my friend any more.” But I look at them and believe them 100 per cent from day one. So I defend the club because of that.’
On the pitch, City are looking ahead to getting their title charge back to winning ways after a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Guardiola’s side take on Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as they look to trim a five-point gap to league leaders Arsenal.
The charges against the reigning champions relate to financial information regarding revenue, details of manager and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability and co-operation with Premier League investigations.
A statement from the league said alleged breaches were committed from September 2009 to the 2017-18 season and will be referred to an independent commission.
Pep Guardiola’s future at Man City is in doubt after the club’s charges for financial breaches
Guardiola has said in the past that he would leave City if club chiefs ever ‘lied’ to him about the extent of their financial dealings off the pitch
City are also facing charges for failing to co-operate with the Premier League since the investigation was launched in 2018.
It adds that the club is alleged to have breached league rules requiring provision ‘in utmost good faith’ of ‘accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’.
In their own statement City said it was surprised by the alleged breaches.
It read: ‘Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
Man City stand accused of breaching financial rules more than 100 times in nine seasons
The Premier League’s charges against Man City come three years after the CAS lifted a two-year Champions League ban against the club and reduced a £25m fine down to £9m
‘As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.’
City declined to comment beyond their statement. It is understood, however, that there is a view within the club that the timing of the charges do not come as a coincidence.
The matter will now be referred to an independent commission – but it is reported that many of English football’s top teams are eager to see City pay the price if found guilty.
City have been scored by rivals before, notably back in 2020 when they were initially handed a two-year ban from the Champions League for breaking FFP regulations.
Adamant of innocence, City were later cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport of all charges five months later.