Guardiola backs City after Premier League financial breach verdict

Pep Guardiola has publicly backed Manchester City after the Premier League ruled that the club committed serious financial violations spanning nine seasons. The Spanish manager, who led the team to six league titles and a historic Champions League victory during his ten-year tenure from 2016 to 2026, took to Instagram to address supporters directly.

"I want the fans to know I am here, more than ever," Guardiola wrote in his official account post. He emphasized his continued alignment with the club’s leadership and staff, stating he stands behind his former team, its owner, the chairman, CEO Ferran Soriano, the players, the technical staff, and current manager Enzo Maresca.

Managerial transition and loyalty

Guardiola departed the club at the end of last season, succeeded by Italian coach Enzo Maresca. Despite this change in leadership, the former manager reaffirmed his connection to the organization and its unique fanbase. "Let me be clear: we will get through this together," he added, addressing the collective challenge facing the club.

The statement followed the Premier League’s announcement confirming Manchester City’s guilt regarding significant financial misconduct between 2009 and 2018. An independent investigation panel determined that the club had engaged in practices designed to artificially inflate revenue figures.

Nature of the financial violations

According to the findings, City entered into sham sponsorship contracts with commercial partners. These arrangements were used to mislead sports authorities about the club’s true financial position. The objective was to circumvent both domestic and European Financial Fair Play regulations.

In addition to the accounting irregularities, the club was found guilty of failing to cooperate with the league’s investigative process. This lack of collaboration formed part of the broader verdict delivered by the Premier League against the Manchester side.