Pep Guardiola will RETURN to Man City for next week’s Champions League clash against PSG – with legendary former boss to pay visit to the Etihad for the first time since summer exit after backing club over guilty verdict
Pep Guardiola will make an extraordinary first return to Manchester City next week in the wake of the bombshell verdict that has rocked the Premier League.
The former manager is set to attend Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain, seen as a show of solidarity towards the club after they were found guilty of all but one of their charges for breaking financial rules.
Guardiola will be joined at the Etihad Stadium by the City board, including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, for the club’s first home European match since his summer departure.
Sources close to Guardiola had suggested on Wednesday afternoon that the 55-year-old was unsure whether the trip would be viable before a firm decision was later taken to travel over.
The Catalan’s right-hand man, Manel Estiarte, does consultancy work for City Football Group and is also expected to be in attendance.
City have lodged an appeal against the findings that they artificially inflated commercial revenues by £830million through ‘sham’ contracts with a range of Abu Dhabi-based companies.
Pep Guardiola will return to Man City for their PSG clash in a show of solidarity
Guardiola leapt to City’s defence a day after the three-person independent commission’s verdict was made public – with potential sanctions ranging from stripping the club of titles, points deductions, fines or expulsion from the top flight.
‘I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,’ he said in a statement.
‘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.’
That he has moved to revisit the Etihad so soon after departing is seen as a significant step. Guardiola is close with Maresca, who was his assistant during the Treble campaign, and is a City ambassador.
Maresca’s squad are back in full training on Thursday before meeting Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in what will prove an emotionally charged day on Merseyside.
