Concerns about Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City following their Financial Fair Play charges could be misguided as he’s reportedly likely to leave in the meantime anyway

Pep Guardiola may even leave Manchester City before their Financial Fair Play dispute is resolved, it has been reported.

Doubt has been cast over Guardiola’s future after City were charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation. He previously threatened to quit if he’d been lied to about the club’s behind-the-scenes business.

But The Athletic claim he may have already left by the time a conclusion is reached anyway. Guardiola signed a two-year contract extension in November to keep him at the Etihad until the summer of 2025.

The Prem are said to be anticipating a years-long battle with City over the case, which is now in the hands of an independent commission. So he could be long gone before any action is taken. Guardiola’s comments about walking away were made in May last year.

He said: “Why did I defend the club and the people? It’s because I work with them. When they are accused of something I ask them, ‘Tell me about that’.

“They explain and I believe them. I said to them, ‘If you lie to me, the day after I am not here.’ I will be out and I will not be your friend anymore.

“I put my faith in you because I believe you 100% from day one and I defend the club because of that. When you put something here [sponsor] it’s overpaid, but other [clubs] the money comes from the USA but the money is correct, even if it’s higher.

“We have to deal with that, we have to fight with that. As always, I am a big fan to support this organisation, no doubt.”

The bookies have made Guardiola the third most likely Premier League manager to leave since the news of the charges broke, but he appears unlikely to be exiting the door anytime soon.

SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk