Manchester City will welcome Pep Guardiola back to the Etihad Stadium much sooner than many would have expected, with the Catalan legend set for his return next week.
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The visit to the Etihad Stadium will be Guardiola's first return to his home of 10 years, after leaving his position as Manchester City manager upon the conclusion of the 2025/26 season with an FA Cup and League Cup in his final campaign.
Guardiola's presence comes just days after the Premier League issued the findings of an independent commission, which confirmed City had been adjudged as guilty of the majority of their 115 charges of alleged breached of the division's financial rules.
Manchester City have since stood defiant, insisting that their body of 'irrefutable evidence' will clear their name, and have also lodged a 'comprehensive appeal' against the Premier League and commission's decision.
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano have both stood by that stance in public messages, while former manager Pep Guardiola has offered a major message of support to the club and its supporters on social media.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has been spotted for the first time returning to the club's training ground after the guilty verdict issues by the Premier League.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Spotted for the First Time Since Man City's Guilty Premier League Verdict
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has been spotted for the first time returning to the club's training ground after the guilty verdict issues by the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola to make Man City return
Now, according to MailSport's Jack Gaughan, Pep Guardiola will make his first return to Manchester City next week, when the club hosts Paris Saint-Germain on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League's league phase.
The attendance of the club's legendary former manager is reportedly seen as a show of solidarity towards City, after they were found guilty of all but one of their charges for breaking the Premier League's financial rules.
It is reported that Guardiola will be joined at the Etihad Stadium by Manchester City's board, including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, while his right-hand man Manel Estiarte is also expected to be in attendance.
Guardiola return follows defiant message of support
The 55-year-old has already made clear where his allegiances lie with regards to his former club, who are facing a range of serious punishments from the Premier League as a result of their alleged rule breaking between 2009 and 2018.
Some within the game have tipped Manchester City to face anything from between a substantial points deduction in excess of 50 points, to expulsion or relegation from the Premier League - and a place in the Championship.
However, the club and its global fanbase were handed a significant boost in the face of those possibilities, as Pep Guardiola wrote after the verdict was announced, "I want every single Manchester City fan to know I am here; more than ever."
He continued," 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."
Before the match that will welcome Pep Guardiola back to the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City are due to face Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon - where a hostile atmosphere is widely expected to Enzo Maresca and his players.