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Pep Guardiola will face one of the toughest press conferences of his managerial career as he faces the media for the first time since Man City were charged with more than 100 financial rule breaches.
The Spaniard would have expected a comfortable meeting with the media, with only questions about his players and his upcoming Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday.
But when he sits down to talk to them around 1:30 p.m., he is faced with a host of questions about the alleged breaches and what they mean both for the club and his future as manager.
The Spaniard has led the club to four titles in the last five seasons in what has been the most successful era in its history.
However, there have been reports questioning whether Guardiola will remain at the Etihad when a verdict is handed down, and whether he would leave if the club ‘lie’ to him.
Pep Guardiola will face questioning when he speaks to the media for the first time since Man City were accused of more than 100 breaches of financial rules in a span of nine years.
City have vowed to fight the charges but there are concerns for Guardiola’s future (Sheikh Mansour pictured left speaking to President Khaldoon Al Mubarak)
Staff behind the scenes are said to expect him to have already left the club by any time punishment takes place if they are found guilty.
If they are found to have broken financial rules, the range of penalties that could be imposed includes a points deduction or even expulsion from the top flight.
Guardiola said last year that he would leave if he found out he had been lied to about allegations of financial fair play.
Speaking in May 2022, Guardiola promised: “If I defend the people and the club it is because I work with them.” When I ask about suspicions or if our people have done something, then I say, “tell me.”
“I told them ‘if you lie to me, the day after I’m not here, I’ll go out and you won’t be my friend anymore.’ But I look at them and believe them 100 percent from day one. So I defend the club for that.
The charges against the reigning champions relate to financial information on revenue, details of coach and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability and cooperation with Premier League investigations.
Guardiola was among the first to hear the news among City senior officials before it was made public on Monday, and the matter will now be referred to an independent commission.
Later that day, the first team squad and other staff were informed of the charges.
Guardiola (right) has had great success at City and signed an extension in November.
He openly supported the club and its officials in 2020, when they were initially handed a two-year Champions League ban for breaching FFP rules.
True to their innocence, the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared City of all charges five months later, with Guardiola among those who apologized to critics.
Guardiola’s future once again dominates, just three months after signing a contract extension until 2025.
Guardiola has had great success at the Etihad Stadium, winning 11 trophies, including four Premier League titles in six years.
That stability has now been called into question, although in a statement City said it was surprised by the alleged offences.
Guardiola is unlikely to face many questions about Sunday’s game against Aston Villa
It read: ‘Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuance of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive commitment and wealth of detailed materials that have been provided to the EPL.
‘The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the full body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
City declined to comment beyond his statement. It is understood, however, that there is a view within the club that the timing of the charges is not a coincidence.
A league statement said the alleged violations occurred from September 2009 through the 2017-18 season and will be referred to an independent commission.
The Spaniard said in May 2022 that he would leave if he found out the club had ‘lied’ to him
Man City bosses hope Guardiola will have left the club by the time any potential punishment kicks in (Man City boss left speaking to Sheikh Mansour, Al Mubarak and Willy Caballero)
City also faces charges for failing to cooperate with the Premier League since the investigation began in 2018.
It adds that the club is alleged to have breached league rules that require the provision “in the best faith” of “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position.”
Man City’s rivals are pushing for the club to be punished, and the issue was on the agenda when representatives from each top-flight club met at London’s Churchill Hotel on Thursday to discuss the charges.
The Premier League anticipates a long-term battle with the Manchester club in the coming years.