Frank Christian
Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his commitment to Manchester City amidst ongoing speculation about his future.
Recently, Guardiola put an end to rumors by extending his contract with the club for two more years, which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the 2026/27 season.
This extension signifies nearly 11 years in Manchester, a remarkable outcome considering he joined City in 2016, beginning a fierce chase for trophies that has led to 18 victories so far.
However, these accomplishments are overshadowed by a legal case initiated by the Premier League against City.
The club, which has claimed the last four English top-flight titles and six of the last seven, faces charges for 115 alleged breaches of competition rules, primarily involving inaccurate financial reporting.
Despite the Premier League’s charges being announced in February 2023, Guardiola expressed his determination to stay at City, even if the consequences include a points deduction or relegation from the league.
Will Guardiola Remain if Man City Faces Penalties?
According to reports from The Guardian and The Telegraph, Guardiola’s contract extension does not have a clause allowing for his exit in the event of relegation.
City remains optimistic about their situation, believing they will be vindicated once the independent commission delivers its verdict. Guardiola echoed this sentiment during a press conference ahead of an upcoming match against Tottenham, stating his consistent stance on staying regardless of the outcome of the charges.
“I said that six months ago. You can find my interviews,” he remarked when questioned about his future following the verdict on the charges. “Just because I extended my contract doesn’t mean I’m changing my position.”
“I mentioned before what I would do if we got relegated — I would still be here.”
“If we were to drop down, we would rise back up. I knew that before, and I still feel the same now.”
Following the announcement of the charges, which preceded an impressive treble win in the 2022/23 season, Guardiola referenced City’s history, recalling their challenging years in the third tier of English football during the 1998/99 season and the significance of hero Paul Dickov’s moment in a crucial playoff final.
“We can face relegation without fear,” he stated. “We’ve experienced tough times before. We’ll just rally and build back strong.”
