Pep Guardiola insists he will not walk away from Manchester City while they remain under investigation for financial breaches. But City’s boss called on lawyers and the Premier League to get on with the process to clear the cloud of suspicion hanging over the club.
Guardiola’s side wrapped up a fifth league title in six years after Arsenal fell to a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Saturday sparking wild celebrations at the Etihad as they lifted the trophy the following day. The Sky Blues can still land a treble with an FA Cup Final against Manchester United and Champions League against Inter Milan to come.
However, Guardiola, who promised he will be in the dugout next season whatever the outcome of their treble chase, acknowledged the financial probe is casting a shadow over the club’s achievements as he urged the Premier League to solve the issue quickly for the good of everyone involved.
“What I would like is if the Premier League and judges could make something happen as soon as possible then if we have done something wrong everybody will know it,” he said ahead of his side's match with Brighton on Thursday. “We would love it tomorrow, this afternoon even better than tomorrow. We would love it. I know fairly what we won we won on the pitch and we don’t have any doubts.
“Let's go, 24 hours sit down and lawyers present. Don't wait two years. Why don’t we do it quicker? Let's have it as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone.”
Guardiola signed a new contract tying him to the Etihad for two more seasons and promised City fans he would not use the platform of a treble to retire in a blaze of glory. However, City fans may not have that much longer to enjoy their side playing under the Spaniard after he admitted that his current deal to 2025 would probably be enough for him.
“I don’t know what it’s going to feel winning or losing the two chances we have ahead of us but I will stay next season while there are 110 breaches against us," he confirmed. “Don't worry, we will be there.
"Three or four years? No, no, no. These two will be enough.”
