I Trust Manchester City — Guardiola Speaks After Financial Breach Verdict

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly reaffirmed his support for the club following an independent commission’s finding that the Premier League side committed serious breaches of the competition’s financial rules.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to financial breaches covering the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. It also upheld three of four alleged breaches concerning the club’s cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation.

The commission found that City had used what it described as “sham” commercial agreements involving several partners, with the arrangements allegedly designed to misrepresent the club’s financial position. The Premier League said the schemes artificially inflated revenues and reduced reported costs by more than £900 million during the period under review.

Manchester City has rejected the findings and maintained that it is innocent of the accusations. The club has the right to appeal the commission’s decision and has until October 2, 2026, to do so. The question of any sporting or financial sanctions will be considered separately.

Guardiola, who ended his decade-long spell at Manchester City in 2026, expressed his continued loyalty to the club in a social media statement. He said he remained behind the club’s ownership, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, manager and supporters.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager also said he believed the club and its supporters would face the situation together. His message came shortly after the commission’s verdict was made public.

Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016 and went on to oversee one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups and five League Cups. Manchester City has since reiterated its intention to challenge the commission’s findings through the available appeal process.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has also maintained the club’s confidence in its position, while the club said it possesses evidence supporting its case. The Premier League, meanwhile, said the independent commission’s findings establish the facts concerning the period under investigation, with the disciplinary process continuing through the separate sanctions stage and any possible appeal.