Pep Guardiola defiant after Man City punishment: 'Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here'
The immediate calculus after UEFA hammered Manchester City with a two-year Champions League ban and other penalties forecast that Pep Guardiola and his stars would seek exits.
Guardiola is pushing back on it. At least for now.
“Look, whatever league we are in, I will still be here. Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here,” City’s manager said, according to Sky Sports. “This is a time for sticking together.”
There’s a chance City will be docked Premier League points as part of their punishment. There’s also a chance they’ll be expelled from the Football League, which governs England’s second, third and fourth divisions, and have to restart in fourth-division League Two, hence Guardiola’s quip.
But that seems unlikely, and the way Guardiola is talking, he may think it’s unlikely City’s punishments are upheld. The club has announced it will challenge the ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and CEO Ferran Soriano is confident the UEFA ban “will be dropped,” according to Sky. Star forward Raheem Sterling is reportedly keen on staying, too.
Of course, this could just be posturing. With no chance at winning the Premier League, Guardiola and City should be steeling themselves for a run at the elusive Champions League crown, however tainted it may be. Guardiola could be quieting any speculation over his future to get his players to buy in now.
And there’s a chance CAS reduces the Champions League ban, which could entice more people to stay. Maybe even Guardiola, who has never managed a club for longer than four seasons but has also never broken a contract. He’s currently signed with City through 2021.
We know what he’s saying now. Let’s see what he’s saying after the season.
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