Pep Guardiola came out swinging on Friday as he faced questions for the first time since Manchester City were charged.
The Premier League champions have been accused of more than 100 financial breaches by the Premier League with any potential punishment, some of which could include the stripping of title or potential relegation, still to be decided by the authorities.
City have faced such issues recently, back when UEFA hit them with a ban that would’ve meant no Champions League football. The Etihad outfit protested their innocence on that occasion and successfully had their punishment overturned on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Guardiola has overseen a period of huge success with City enjoying huge dominance, but some now see that success as tainted. The club’s financial resources have played a huge part in their rapid rise and the Catalan maintains they have done nothing wrong.
1 We’re innocent
The City boss has been keen to remind people that they are innocent until proven guilty as he cited their success in overturning UEFA’s ban several years ago. Guardiola though is frustrated by the reaction to the recent news, claiming they’re verdict has already been decided.
He said: “We have just a charge. Why should when they told me before they defend the accusation from UEFA, the club proved we were completely innocent, why should now be condemned? 19 teams of the Premier League is accusing us without the change to defend and the words of my chairman my CEO my owner explain everything, you know what side I am on.
Pep Guardiola has come out fighting as he faced the press© Manchester City FC via Getty Images
“Another side I would say we are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proved guilty. We didn’t have this opportunity. We are already sentenced.”
2 Pep here to stay
There has been plenty of attention placed on a previous Guardiola press conference, in which he claimed he would leave if the City hierarchy lied to him about their financial compliance. Such charges made that threat a possibility, but the former Barcelona boss is convinced of their innocence and claimed he won’t leave unless sacked.
He said: “Hopefully the reason they are going to sack me is the results. It is the reason managers take the position or leave it. I am not moving from this seat.
The Catalan has no plans to quit the club© Getty Images
“I can assure you, more than ever I want to stay. Sometimes I have doubts, seven years already is a long time. Now I don’t want to go.”
3 Name dropping rivals
If City are punished, others could succeed as a result, depending on the type of punishment dished out. If honours are taken away those who narrowly missed out could yet be handed some unexpected success – albeit that would be an extreme punishment.
Back when UEFA looked to ban City for the Champions League plenty of their rivals circled. Those who missed out on appearances and revenue from Europe’s top table were keen to make their feelings known – and Guardiola hasn’t forgotten.
Leading lights at City’s rivals have looked to benefit at their expense© AFP via Getty Images
He said: “Many clubs can make a suggestion and there are a lot of clubs who could be accused like we have been accused without being innocent. Because the damage is now for one decade, eight, nine, 10 years. One week later, UEFA make a statement against us, nine teams – Burnley, Wolves, Leicester, Newcastle Spurs, United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea wanted us out of the competition [the Champions League].”
4 Practice what you preach
The champions might spend big, more than most. Guardiola has been keen to cite their net spend recently, but there’s now denying their huge outlay. The majority of Premier League clubs though, due to the revenue streams, are able to spend large sums.
Chelsea’s recent transfer activity has raised eyebrows whilst mid-table clubs have been able to smash the £100m mark in recent years. Guardiola has reminded them that one day they could be the subject of major accusations.
Top flight clubs have continued to spend at an alarming rate© Getty Images
“They open a precedent now, what they have done to us, be careful in the future because many clubs can make suggestions and a lot of clubs can be accused like we are accused without being innocent,” he claimed. “I can have an opinion and feeling but I don’t know but when they push to get rid of us, that is obvious because they believe we didn’t behave properly and we can accept that but let us defend.”
5 Swipe at clubs chiefs
Everyone is looking after No 1 – and sometimes that means taking aim at the competition. City’s current situation makes them an easy target and, given their dominance, there are plenty who want to kick them whilst their down.
Guardiola has called out those who are plotting against the champions – name dropping the man who makes the decisions at Tottenham. The Catalan claimed the masses were plotting against City, when asked why he replied: “Go to the chairman, CEOs, Daniel Levy, ask them.”
Source: msn
