Former Manager Pep Guardiola Backs Manchester City Amid Financial Rule Breach Findings

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola publicly reaffirmed his support for the club and its fans, saying they would get through the crisis together. His statement followed an independent Premier League commission finding City guilty of serious financial-rule breaches over a nine-season period and of most charges of failing to cooperate with the investigation. The findings included allegations that misleading commercial contracts and financial reporting understated costs or inflated revenue by more than £900 million. City denies wrongdoing, says it has evidence to defend its position and intends to appeal. Guardiola’s tenure overlapped with part of the period under scrutiny, but reports say there is no suggestion he knew of wrongdoing.
Guardiola’s statement was his first public comment after the commission published its findings. He posted it on X alongside images of himself celebrating with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, lifting the Champions League trophy and celebrating with supporters.
Manchester City’s response to the ruling included describing it as an opinion and expressing “disappointment and surprise,” while insisting the club was “innocent of the accusations.”
Guardiola’s managerial spell at City ran from 2016 to 2026; during it, the team won six Premier League titles, the 2023 Champions League and three FA Cups, among other trophies.
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