Pep Guardiola: ‘Won’t walk out of contract even if Manchester City are relegated to League One’

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed he is a “big fan” of financial fair play and that clubs who break its rules must be punished.

There has been tremendous pressure on his club Manchester City of late regarding financial fair play rules, with them more than 100 charges of contravening the Premier League’s regulations.

After Everton were deducted 10 points for a single breach, there has been speculation that if City’s charges are proven they may face more serious action, including relegation. City however continue to deny wrongdoing and Guardiola said on Friday he would not walk out on his contract, which runs to the end of next season, even if they were demoted to League One.

Guardiola was asked whether he would consider his position should City be found guilty and relegated. “A good question,” he said. “I will answer when I have the sentence. You are questioning like we have been punished. And in the moment we are innocent until guilt is proved. I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.

“But absolutely I will not consider my future [if] it depends on being here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.”

In May 2022 Guardiola said he had spoken to the City hierarchy about the accusations facing the club and would quit if he had been lied to.

FFP is designed to limit spending and prevent clubs from experiencing serious financial difficulty. Yet there is a view that this potentially stops any rich entity from investing in a club. Guardiola was asked whether, in view of this, he agreed with FFP.

“They