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Guardiola to Attend Man City's Champions League Match Against PSG

7:09 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's former manager, is expected to attend the club's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, October 14, marking his first return to the Etihad Stadium since leaving at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's former manager, is expected to attend the club's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, October 14, marking his first return to the Etihad Stadium since leaving at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Earlier this month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges related to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. The club has appealed the verdict, insisting they are innocent.

Guardiola, who led City to six Premier League titles and other major trophies during his decade-long tenure, has publicly backed the club despite the guilty verdict. He posted on social media, stating, 'I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.'

The upcoming match against PSG is the first home game for City since the guilty verdict, and Guardiola's presence adds significant symbolism. His visit coincides with a turbulent period for the club, which faces potential punishments including fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from the Premier League.

Guardiola's successor, Enzo Maresca, who previously served on Guardiola's coaching staff, will lead City in the match. Maresca is expected to face tough questions from the media regarding the club's financial issues and the upcoming match.

The club's chief executive, Ferran Soriano, has already defended City in a video statement, rejecting the independent commission's findings. Soriano emphasized that the club will continue to fight the verdict and maintain their innocence.

Guardiola's decision to attend the match underscores his continued support for the club. He has maintained that he will 'always' be behind Manchester City, despite the legal challenges they face.

The match against PSG will be a crucial test for City, who are currently top of the table with maximum points from five games. The club's performance in the Champions League could be pivotal in determining their future in European competitions.

Guardiola's legacy at Manchester City remains undiminished. His achievements, including four consecutive Premier League titles from 2020-21, have solidified his status as one of the club's greatest managers.

The club's appeal process is ongoing, and the final outcome of the case could have significant implications for Manchester City's future in the Premier League and European competitions.

Guardiola's return to the Etihad Stadium will be closely watched by fans and media alike, as the club navigates this challenging period.

Guardiola's support for the club, despite the guilty verdict, highlights the deep connection he has with Manchester City and its supporters.

Background

What's confirmed

• Pep Guardiola won the Premier League six times as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City 's Champions League tie against Paris St-Germain next week - the club's first home match since they were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.
• Earlier this month, an independent commission found the club guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
• City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal against the findings in the Premier League's report that stated the club falsely inflated commercial revenues by £830m through "sham" contracts.
• Former Manchester ‌City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken out ⁠in support ⁠of the Premier League club after they were found guilty of serious ⁠breaches of financial rules.
• They have also been found guilty of most of the charges they faced in relation to a failure to cooperate with a Premier League investigation.
• An independent commission found the club guilty on all charges related to breaches of financial rules over the nine-year period.
• Prior to his departure, Guardiola spoke about the charges against City in November 2024 and said he "will be here" even if the club were relegated.
• The club's chief executive Ferran Soriano, who worked closely with Guardiola during the Catalan's time in charge, has already defended City in a video statement shared in September.
• This will be the club’s first home game since being found guilty on the majority of the 115 Premier League charges, a story that has shifted the mood around City from routine elite-level scrutiny to something much harsher.
• According to BBC Sport, Guardiola will be in attendance for the European heavyweight meeting, his first return to the stadium since leaving at the end of last season after a decade in charge.
• Guardiola’s presence in the stands adds symbolism, though not necessarily comfort.
• But the Independent Commission's verdict could hardly have been more damning, accusing the club of "sham" contracts involving its Abu Dhabi owners as part of a "disguised funding scheme" that contributed to inflating revenues and reducing costs by over £900 million. Witnesses in City's defense were accused of dishonesty, and the club was found to have "clearly intended to circumvent" Premier League rules.

What's still developing

• Your Manchester City Questions Answered By The Experts Senior figures worried about Man City being in next season's Champions League City return to action after the three-week international break against Liverpool on Sunday (16:30 BST) in what promises to be a searing Premier League atmosphere at Anfield.
• Halsey was an English professional football referee who primarily refereed in the Premier League from 1999 to... read more Football journalist and broadcaster who has reported on Liverpool FC since 2009, providing in-depth coverage, analysis... read more Credited with discovering Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, Rob Segal has been a football agent since 1996.
• Gianluigi Donnarumma ’s agent has revealed what Manchester City have told his client about the club’s guilty verdict ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
• City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League as an independent panel found them to have made ‘sham’ payments to the tune of £900m to boost their coffers between 2009 and 2018.
• Gary Lineker believes City are likely to be stripped of their titles and explained what would be a “blessing” amid “talk of Premier League conspiracy theories”.
• But Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola, has revealed that “everyone is calm” as things stand after the City goalkeeper “received assurances” from his club.
• France 1-1 Italy player ratings as Donnarumma dazzles and Upamecano sees red Italy predicted XI v France: Moise Kean a doubt, Gianluigi Donnarumma to start Man City FFP: Inside Liverpool reaction to guilty verdict as ‘only surprise’ revealed How will Premier League managers handle questions on Manchester City charges?
• This scandal poisons an entire Premier League era “I wish, from deep in my heart, to go to the trial, the independent panel and as soon as possible they release what happened, and we will accept like we always have done,” Pep Guardiola said in August 2024.
• “If the appeal fails, Manchester City cannot stay in the league, they have to suffer. And I say that as a supporter and a fan,” said the club’s former chairman, David Bernstein.
• The charges relate to the 2009-18 period, with Guardiola in the dugout for the last two of those nine years.
• The Mail reports that he will be joined there by board members including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.. Gary Lineker makes Man City punishment prediction as club chiefs told to 'own it'. Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham told of Man City guilty verdict early Guardiola won one league title in the two seasons he was in charge between 2009-18, leading City to a league record 100 points in the 2017/18 campaign.
• The Spanish coach won 20 trophies during a glittering 10 years as City manager before departing in May.

Sources

• AOL.co.uklink
• BBClink
• EPL Indexlink
• Independent Newspaper Nigerialink
• OneFootballlink
• Pulsesportslink
• Sky Sportslink
• The i Paperlink
• Warpbeatlink
• Inewslink
• BBClink
• Espnlink
• Al Jazeeralink
• Football365link
• WarpBeat — background on Pochettino Laments 'Deception' in Man City Verdict link
• WarpBeat — background on Man City guilty charges: Premier League's options, how appeal works, more link
• PitchWhisper — video link