Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City's Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain, sources have told ESPN. It will be the club's first home game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules, and Guardiola's first time in the Etihad Stadium stands since quitting as manager at the end of last season.
The timing of the 55-year-old's return is significant, coming in the wake of the damning verdict in City's case with the Premier League. After the independent commission published its findings, Guardiola released a statement in support of his former club. He wrote on social media: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here more than ever." He also backed the club's owner, chairman, CEO Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, and manager Enzo Maresca, adding: "we will get through this together."
City have maintained their innocence throughout the process and have filed a formal appeal. Chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano have both insisted publicly that the club will be cleared.
The financial breaches at the heart of the Premier League's case occurred between 2009 and 2018. Guardiola became City boss in 2016 and won 20 trophies during a 10-year spell. City face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday before returning to the Etihad to play reigning European champions PSG three days later.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing