Manchester City have been charged for breaching more than 100 financial rules over nearly a decade and the reaction from their Premier League rivals has been hyperbolic.
Many have called for the Sky Blues’ expulsion from the top-flight despite no verdict being given, so Pep Guardiola turned on his critics in a fiery press conference. He warned the loudest voices to “be careful” as he won’t forget.
In quotes reported by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Pep said: “They have set a precedent. What they have done to us, be careful. Be careful in the future. Many clubs can make suggestions and there are a lot of clubs that can be accused like we have been accused.”
Guardiola denied any suggestion that he could leave the club and trusts the owners when they say there’s been no wrongdoing. Pep added: “Now more than ever I want to stay. Sometimes I have doubts – seven or eight years is a long time – but now I don’t want to move.”
Man City are currently second in the league table and five points adrift of leaders Arsenal while playing a game more. Guardiola’s men have suffered three defeats from their last eight games and have been knocked out of the EFL Cup.
They don’t appear to have a defence capable of shutting out the big European sides in the Champions League either, so there’s a possibility Guardiola has a rare trophyless campaign. Coupled with the financial misconduct allegations and the media predicted it could be Pep’s final season in England.
Vital Man City writer Crippy Cooke has pondered the same on the writers’ podcast, former known as the Vital Football Podcast, but Guardiola clearly has no intention of leaving. He was defiant in his words and defended the club from accusations, so he’s in it for the long haul.
In other news, John Stones to miss Aston Villa clash due to injury, may return in March
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