Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola staying at Man City: Etihad boss says he'll remain in charge regardless of Champions League ban


Pep Guardiola insists he will still be Manchester City manager next season "no matter what happens" with the club's appeal against their Champions League ban.

UEFA banned City from the Champions League for breaching their Financial Fair Play rules, but the Premier League champions will be taking their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) to appeal the judgement.

The decision has led to fears that City's big players and in particular their manager would leave the club, with Guardiola's current deal expiring at the end of next season anyway and with some rumours that he would leave a year early.

However, after watching Man City beat West Ham with ease on Wednesday, Guardiola emphatically emphasised his loyalty to the club by stating he'd be in charge at the Etihad next season regardless of their Champions League status.

Guardiola told Sky Sports: "Personally, no matter what happens I will be here next season. If the club don't sack me I will stay here 100 per cent - more than ever.

"I say now that I will stay until the end of my contract. I will stay and continue to help them maintain this level as soon as possible.

"Why should I leave when I said a month ago that I love this club and I like to be here.

"We spoke with the players and for the next three months here we are going to focus on what we have to do and then we will have to see the sentence."

Guardiola's loyalty was echoed by Kevin De Bruyne, who was once again integral in a commanding victory which keeps City clear of closest rivals Leicester in second place.

De Bruyne said the off-field issues would not affect the performances on the pitch as City look to seal a finishing position which would - appeal permitting - ensure a Champions League return.

De Bruyne said: "Obviously we were on holiday when the statement happened and I think we came back and we played football and the situation is what it is.

"We trained like normal and in the end nothing really changes for us - we just play the games that we have.

"I think the team gave their statement, so I don't know as players what else we can do.

"We can just play football and in the end the situation will show what it can show."

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