Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City is ‘deep inside of his bones’ when asked if he feels the need to defend the club.
City are in the process of defending themselves against 130 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules spanning between 2009 and 2018.
The case is expected to last two months with a verdict to be announced in 2025. Should the Premier League triumph, the Citizens could face huge punishment. City have denied any wrongdoing.
City’s alleged breaches have dominated the narrative around the club of late and Guardiola was asked ahead of facing Fulham this weekend whether he felt compelled to defend the club.
“I’m part of this club, deep inside of my bones and the best way to defend the club is winning games and doing my job as best as possible,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“We cannot misunderstand why I am here, I am the manager, the person at the club who talks more through all the media, to send messages to fans. And, of course I am going to defend my club, I trust [them], since the owner, since the chairman for the relation, the CEO, and all the people working here, for many many years. I know them quite well, much more than any of you. The best way to defend is by doing our job the best, everyone working here have their own responsibility.
“The rest, of course there are situations in the eight and nine years, it always is there. Some of them expected, some of them more tough to deal with but it is what it is. No complains and you do what you have to do. I’m part of this club, not just the manager. I love this club and it will always be that way.”
Guardiola coy on Manchester City future
Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the season and has remained coy on his future. When asked about a banner from the fans asking him to sign a new deal, the Spaniard said: “They have to bring me the bill I have to pay for the banner. I don’t want to spend money for that reason.
“What can I say? Thank you so much, I fell in love since the first day I arrived here, let’s see. When it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen”
