‘If they lie to me, I’m going’ – Guardiola’s Man City quit threat

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 6 Feb 2023 20:05 GMT
• 3 min read

The investigation into Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches by the Premier League is set to test the word of manager Pep Guardiola.

City face an investigation that sees them face more than 100 charges of breaking Premier League rules, with potential punishments ranging from fines up to points deductions and even, in the most extreme case, expulsion from the league itself.

The scale of the issues facing the Etihad club is unprecedented and is set to provide a moral dilemma to Guardiola, who made a strongly-worded statement back in May that could put his very future at City in doubt.

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Guardiola on Man City owners

Speaking on May 7, as it became apparent that City were being investigated over their finances, Pep said: “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.

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"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.

“It’s a situation in 2012 or 2013, I was still in Barcelona, most of the people running that are not here now, but of course I would not like it. What I like is to represent a club who do things properly [and] well. It’s not about winning the Champions League and the Premier League, we want to do well for our people and our fans.”

Man City are presently second in the Premier League, five points off the pace of Arsenal, and any significant points deduction would represent a huge blow in their hopes of retaining the title.