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Pep Guardiola has addressed Manchester City’s financial breach verdict directly, issuing a statement of support days after the club was found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. The Spaniard left the Etihad this past summer following a decade in charge, yet he remains tied to the organisation through a new ambassadorial role with City Football Group.
The Manchester City verdict has reignited debate across English Football, with the Premier League champions found to have breached financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. Sanctions remain undetermined as an appeal process plays out, though speculation around potential title stripping has circulated widely. Reports suggest neither the league nor its member clubs are pushing strongly for that outcome.
Guardiola guided City through a trophy-laden decade, lifting 20 pieces of silverware before departing at the end of last season. His exit from day-to-day management did not sever his connection to the club’s parent company. City confirmed his ambassadorial appointment before their final fixture of the previous campaign, outlining a role that includes offering technical advice across the group’s network of clubs and contributing to specific projects and collaborations.
Guardiola’s Statement on the Verdict
The 53-year-old broke his silence on the charges earlier this week, posting directly on X in support of the club.
“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, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.”
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
Guardiola attached images from City’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs alongside his message. The post has since drawn close to 10 million views, underlining the scale of attention surrounding the case.
Carragher Calls for Titles to Be Stripped
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has taken a firmer stance than most, arguing that City should lose the titles won during the period covered by the guilty verdict. Speaking on Sky Sports News, Carragher focused on the impact on players who competed under the assumption that the club’s conduct was clean.
“I feel for the players… they’ll almost feel like a lot of their career is going to have an asterisk, or a lot of people will be calling it a sham. The players were told everything was fine, they would never get done for anything.”
“What the hierarchy are coming out with now, they’re just gaslighting. I think the titles should be taken off their City’s list. Whether other clubs get them is probably slightly different. City have not just hurt their own players.”
“I don’t look at it [a medal] years later, but my mind goes back to moments and feelings in my stomach. Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Man City. No-one remembers the medal. Giving trophies or medals back, it doesn’t mean anything. It’s not about medals, it’s about feelings.”
Carragher’s comments add weight to the growing argument that financial punishment alone will not settle the dispute among rival clubs and fans. The next steps rest with the Premier League’s appeal process, but the debate over what City’s success actually represents is unlikely to fade soon.
Read also: How Scrapping Man City’s Results Would Rewrite Nine Premier League Seasons
Stay with TipsGG for continued coverage as the Manchester City case develops and sanctions are finalised.