Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly thrown his support behind the club after an independent commission found City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Guardiola, who left the club at the end of the 2025/26 season after a decade in charge, reacted to the verdict in a social media message, making it clear that his loyalty to the club remains unchanged.
“I want every single Man City fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters,” Guardiola wrote.
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious financial rule breaches covering a nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
Among the findings were that the club used what the commission described as “sham” commercial agreements to artificially increase reported revenue and reduce costs by more than £900 million.
The commission also found that City submitted misstated accounts and concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators.
The club was further found to have breached Premier League and UEFA spending limits and to have committed several breaches of its obligation to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation.
City have rejected the findings and maintained their position that the club has not committed the alleged wrongdoing. The club has the right to appeal the commission’s decision.
Guardiola’s previous defence of City
Guardiola had repeatedly expressed his confidence in Manchester City’s position while the case was still being considered.
Before his departure in May, he said he trusted the club’s leadership and the explanations he had received about the allegations.
“I trust them. I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened,” Guardiola said.
The former City boss also defended the club while awaiting the outcome of the lengthy proceedings.
“I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. I said, ‘Okay, let’s see.’ I cannot say any more yet because we’re awaiting the sentence,” he said.
Guardiola also reacted to calls from some sections of the football community for severe punishment if City were found guilty.
“I read something about the situation and how we need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes,” he said.
City prepares to challenge verdict
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak have also spoken to supporters following the verdict, maintaining the club’s confidence in challenging the findings.
The case has been running for several years. Manchester City were formally charged by the Premier League in February 2023, while the hearing itself took place over 42 days in late 2024.
The latest ruling establishes the commission’s findings on the financial breaches, but the process is not yet completely finished.
The Premier League has said the question of sanctions will be dealt with separately, while City can appeal the findings.
For Guardiola, however, the immediate message to City supporters was one of continued loyalty.
“I’m behind my club,” the former manager said, as the club prepares for the next stage of the long-running financial dispute.
