Pep Guardiola says most of the clubs in the Premier League want to see Manchester City relegated, with the verdict on the club’s 115 charges for alleged financial breaches still pending.
The Spaniard signed a new two-year contract on Thursday to remain as City’s boss until 2027, ending growing speculation that this season would be his last in Manchester.
Guardiola has led City to unprecedented success in his tenure, winning six Premier League titles including the last four in a row – a feat never achieved by any club. But the club’s dominance on the pitch has been overshadowed by accusations of wrongdoing off it, relating to financial discrepancies and alleged breaches of 115 rules.
Premier League clubs voted to approve changes to associated party transaction (APT) rules on Friday, despite opposition from City, with a statement from the league claiming the move had been made “to ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at Fair Market Value”.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said he feels that most Premier League clubs assume City are guilty of the charges and want to see them relegated, though it’s not something he’s overly concerned about.
“I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately,” he said.
“75 per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff. But I don’t live with it, I live with the four defeats, what I have to do. There are lawyers on both sides. I don’t think about it.”
Guardiola further insisted that he won’t leave the club if City are found guilty of the 115 charges – a decision is expected early next year – with punishment potentially ranging from a huge fine, deductions of points or even relegation from the top flight.
“I said that six months ago. You have my interviews,” he said. “I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong and people say ‘what happens if we are relegated?’ I will be here.
“I don’t know the position they are going to bring us, the Conference? [But] next year we will come up and come up and come back to the Premier League.
“I knew it then, I feel it now.”
On the field, Guardiola is enduring the worst losing streak of his managerial career. City have lost four games in a row across all competitions, with Saturday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur crucial as they bid to keep up with early pacesetters Liverpool.
