Pep Guardiola remains a City Football Group ambassador after leaving Manchester City this summer.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of Manchester City, and Pep Guardiola,
Pep Guardiola has made his feelings clear on Manchester City's situation. (Image: Getty Images)
Attention has turned back to Pep Guardiola following Manchester City being found guilty of financial breaches. The football world was stunned earlier this week when the Premier League leaders were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges the top flight initially brought against them in 2023, while the club continues to insist on their innocence. Sanctions against City are yet to be determined – awaiting the outcome of an appeal – with some speculating that stripping the titles won during their rule-breaking period between 2009 and 2018 could be a potential option. Nevertheless, it is understood that the league and its clubs do not necessarily wish to pursue that particular course of action. Guardiola - who led the club for a decade - left the Etihad Stadium this past summer following a historic spell in which he claimed 20 trophies. Despite his departure from City, Guardiola has maintained emotional - and contractual - ties to the club's parent company, City Football Group.
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His new position with the organisation was announced before their final match of last season, with the Spaniard assuming the role of an ambassador.
City outlined Guardiola's duties, which will see him provide technical advice to the clubs in the group and work on specific projects and collaborations.
In the wake of City's charges, the 53-year-old shared his position on the controversy for the first time earlier this week.
Guardiola took to X to release a statement, which read: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.
"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
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Ferran Soriano, Pep Guardiola,and Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Ferran Soriano, Pep Guardiola,and Khaldoon Al Mubarak. (Image: Getty Images)
The manager accompanied his message with photographs of City's Champions League and Premier League victories, a post that has since garnered nearly 10 million views.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has called for Manchester City to be stripped of the titles won during the nine-year period in which they were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations.
"I feel for the players... they'll almost feel like a lot of their career is going to have an asterisk, or a lot of people will be calling it a sham," the Anfield icon said on Sky Sports News. "The players were told everything was fine, they would never get done for anything.
"What the hierarchy are coming out with now, they're just gaslighting. I think the titles should be taken off their [City's] list. Whether other clubs get them is probably slightly different. City have not just hurt their own players.
"I don't look at it [a medal] years later, but my mind goes back to moments and feelings in my stomach. Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Man City. No-one remembers the medal. Giving trophies or medals back, it doesn't mean anything. It's not about medals, it's about feelings."