Pep Guardiola has thrown his support behind Manchester City after the club were found guilty of all charges of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period, telling supporters: “We will get through this together”.
Writing on social media, the club’s former manager said he wanted every City fan around the world to know that he remained with them. “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he posted. “I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, 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 left City in the summer after a trophy-laden decade in charge, a spell in which twenty trophies were won and during which he was frequently asked about the charges that hung over the club for much of his tenure. The period covering his first two seasons in Manchester formed part of the investigation ruled on by an independent commission, and charges were first brought against the club in February 2023. Throughout, Guardiola consistently repeated his faith in what the club’s Abu Dhabi ownership told him, saying in May: “I trust them. I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did.”
His support for the ownership is long-standing. Guardiola remains a close ally of the chief executive, Ferran Soriano, who brought him to England, the pair having previously worked together at Barcelona. When Guardiola’s departure was confirmed, it was also announced that he would continue as a global ambassador for City Football Group, a role involving giving “technical advice to the clubs in the group, working on specific projects and collaborations”.
City maintain their innocence and are set to appeal against the decision before Friday’s deadline.
The backing from Guardiola has been accompanied by sharp criticism from elsewhere in the club’s history. David Bernstein, City’s former chairman, described the situation as “beyond awful” and called for the current board to stand down. Bernstein, who chaired the club between 1998 and 2003, said: “I can’t think of a penalty strong enough for this, really. I mean, this is absolutely terrible.”
He went on to question the position of the board of directors, including the chief executive, who has been at the club for years and went through the period in question. “The directors of the club, including the chief executive, who’s been there for years and went through this period, are responsible for the running of the club in every respect,” Bernstein said. “If this was a public company of some sort, the directors would have to stand down or be suspended pending the outcome of all this, appeal or no appeal. I don’t think the present management can credibly continue.”