Why Pep Guardiola Is Returning to Etihad Stadium to Watch Man City
Pep Guardiola continues to ally himself with Manchester City in the wake of the club’s guilty verdict for breaking Premier League financial regulations.
Guardiola stepped away as manager after 10 years with City at the end of last season. He maintained public support for the club throughout the Premier League’s investigation and independent panel hearing. The Spaniard also maintains a close working connection with the club as a global ambassador for the wider City Football Group parent company.
Guardiola has not attended a City match this season, but BBC Sport reported that is expected to change next week when back-to-back reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain visit the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola is set to be there as a spectator, cheering for his former team like the 50,000–60,000 or so other supporters.
In what will be City’s first home match since the verdict and the Premier League’s statement referring to “sham” contracts and close to a decade of sustained financial cheating—which the club continues to fiercely deny—it is a significant show of support from the former boss.
More Fallout to Man City Charges Verdict
• The Sanctions Rival Premier League Clubs Want Man City to Face
• Man City Punishment Timeline: How Long Will Appeal Take, When Will This End?
• Man City Charges: The Premier League’s Multi-Year Investigation Explained
• The Potential Punishments Facing Man City for 115 Premier League Charges
It remains to be seen if he will spectate from the shadows or be paraded in the spotlight.
When the verdict was formally published last week, Guardiola took to social media to firmly make clear his position on the matter. “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he posted on Instagram, alongside a picture of himself with long-serving club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
When he was preparing for his final game as manager in May, Guardiola had said of the club and the conduct of those above him: “I trust them. I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened.”
Why Guardiola Has to Maintain Man City Support
