Pep Guardiola Set for Shock Etihad Return after City’s guilty verdict
Story By Staff Reporter
Pep Guardiola will make an unexpected return to the Etihad. He wants to support his former club, Manchester City, as it goes through a difficult spell.
Why Guardiola is coming back
Reports suggest the Spaniard will attend City’s next home game, the Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain on October 14. He has told senior club figures he wants to “be with his people”.
City in crisis
An independent commission found City guilty on every charge of breaching the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Turmoil has gripped the club ever since. City maintain their innocence and have lodged an appeal.
A legacy under a cloud
Guardiola left his post as manager at the end of last season. Away from football, he has spent his break in Barcelona. Over ten years, he won 20 trophies. Some of that success came during the period under investigation, so his legacy now looks tainted.
Guardiola also managed City throughout the four-year inquiry. Reporters asked him about it repeatedly. Each time, he said club bosses had assured him nothing was wrong.
Guardiola’s message to supporters
Earlier this week, Guardiola posted a message of support on social media. The former manager, who led City from 2016 to 2026, wrote: “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.
“I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran (Soriano, CEO), the players, staff, Enzo (Maresca) and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear – we will get through this together. I love you all.”
City’s appeal statement
City confirmed the appeal in a statement on Friday. The club said: “The club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
“The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
