Inter Miami have stepped aside in the race to sign Kevin De Bruyne, clearing the way for Chicago Fire to lead the pursuit of the departing Manchester City midfielder should he opt for a move to Major League Soccer.
Miami had previously held exclusive negotiation rights with the 33-year-old through MLS’s ‘discovery list’ system, but sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that the club has chosen not to initiate talks before the mid-July deadline.
As a result, a potential reunion with Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets in Florida is now off the table.
With Miami out of the picture, Chicago Fire now hold the priority to negotiate with De Bruyne, who announced in April that he would be leaving City at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Reports suggest his representatives are preparing to meet with the MLS club, who currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Belgian midfielder, who expressed surprise at not receiving a contract extension from City, departs after a decorated spell at the Etihad.
His time in Manchester has seen him collect 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in 2023.
A man has been charged following an alleged attack on Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The incident took place after City’s Premier League match against Manchester United, which ended in a 0-0 draw. It is reported that Grealish was slapped in the face by a man near the tunnel as both teams were leaving the pitch after the game.
City has not made any comments regarding the matter. However, United officials told ESPN that the club is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that 20-year-old Alfie Holt from Droylsden has been charged with assault. He is scheduled to appear in Manchester Magistrates Court on July 14.
A GMP statement read: “This charge relates to an incident which took place at Old Trafford Football Club on Sunday, April 6, 2025.”
Following the derby, City manager Pep Guardiola accused United fans of a “lack of class” after derogatory chants were directed at Phil Foden’s mother.
City sources said they had been shocked by the number of fans involved in the chants while sources close to United said they condemn “abusive chants against all players.”
The worst Man United and Man City teams in decades offer a poor Manchester derby to match
“Lack of class; but it’s not United, it’s the people,” Guardiola said when about the chants.
“We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football — managers, owners, and football players especially.
“It is honestly, I don’t understand in the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil, being involved in that.
“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed, but it is what it is; it’s happening everywhere, I would say, not just in the UK.”
Pep Guardiola has criticized a group of Manchester United fans for showing a “lack of class” after they directed offensive chants at Manchester City’s Phil Foden during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Foden, 24, who had a quiet performance, was substituted by City manager Guardiola in the second half. The England midfielder, who grew up supporting City in Stockport, was one of just two local players in the match, alongside City’s Nico O’Reilly.
Despite his local connection, Foden endured derogatory chants from the United fans, to which he responded by giving them a thumbs-up. Guardiola expressed disappointment, suggesting that the behavior of these fans reflected troubling trends in today’s society.
“Lack of class,” Guardiola said when asked about the chants aimed at Foden. “But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know?
“We are so exposed in the screen in world football — managers, owners, and football players especially. Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”
Manchester City’s draw in the game means they remain in fifth place in the Premier League, holding onto the final Champions League spot, just one point ahead of Aston Villa. Villa will visit the Etihad on April 22.
Newcastle, currently in seventh place, are only two points behind City, having played two fewer games. If they win their upcoming match against struggling Leicester City, they could move ahead of City into the fifth spot.
Despite the pressure of potentially missing out on the Champions League, Guardiola stated that he is not worried about the team’s chances of qualifying.
“Nothing,” Guardiola said when asked his thoughts about finishing in the top five. “All that is important is our next game, against Crystal Palace.
“We will prepare for the upcoming games. There are a few things I’m happy with what I saw, but now we need to achieve the target of qualifying for Champions League, then next season is next season.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that neither the players nor staff deserve summer bonuses following what he considers a disappointing season.
Despite still being in contention for silverware in the FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup—where the winner takes home £97 million ($125m)—City’s overall performance has fallen short of expectations. They currently sit fifth in the Premier League with nine games remaining and failed to progress beyond the Champions League round of 16.
Guardiola maintains that even if the club secures trophies, their struggles throughout the campaign do not merit additional financial rewards.
“We don’t deserve it this season,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday. “We don’t deserve a bonus this season. The bonus, if you win, I don’t know how much. You go there, it’s for the club. The managers, the backroom staff, the players we don’t deserve. Not even a watch.”
City return from the international break with an FA Cup quarterfinal against Bournemouth on Sunday.
There was speculation that the break for international matches could provide a window for a verdict to be delivered in the Premier League’s case against the club.
It’s now set to drag on and Guardiola raised the possibility that it could be another month before a decision is made public. “We are more than one year with that so nothing changes with one more week or two more weeks or three more weeks or four more weeks,” he said.
Guardiola’s immediate focus is securing a place in the FA Cup semifinals for the seventh consecutive time before shifting his attention to Wednesday’s Premier League clash against Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.
With Manchester City set to compete in the Club World Cup in the U.S., their season could extend into July. Guardiola has also hinted at the potential return of Rodri, who has been out of action since September due to a knee injury.
“I hope,” Guardiola said. “Listen, it would be nice if he could play tomorrow, but don’t do a wrong decision right now, you know and make a step back. He’s behaving really well on the pitch already, but competition is completely different. We will see.”
Manchester City and Chelsea stand to receive as much as £97 million in prize money from this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, making it one of the most lucrative club tournaments in football history.
The total prize fund for the competition is £775 million, distributed among the 32 participating teams based on various factors. Of this, £407 million will be shared equally among all clubs, while £368 million will be awarded based on performance throughout the tournament.
For comparison, last season’s Premier League prize money ranged from £175.9 million for champions Manchester City to £109.7 million for Sheffield United, who finished bottom of the table.
FIFA’s ranking system, which considers both sporting success and commercial appeal, determines the amount each team earns simply for participating. European clubs, in particular, will receive a higher share than teams from other continents.
The top-ranked European team will earn £29.6 million just for taking part. If that team wins all its group-stage matches and goes on to lift the trophy, it could secure the maximum prize of £97 million.
Prize money per stage:
Group-stage win: £1.5 million
Round of 16 qualification: £5.8 million
Quarter-finals: £10.2 million
Semi-finals: £16.3 million
Final victory: £31 million
As a result, Manchester City and Chelsea, the two Premier League representatives in the competition—having qualified through their Champions League triumphs—have the opportunity to claim the biggest prize money ever awarded in a seven-game format.
This year’s Club World Cup will be hosted in the United States from June 15 to July 13.
Previously an annual tournament featuring seven teams, the competition has now been expanded to 32 teams and will be held once every four years.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the new prize distribution as a reflection of the tournament’s status as “the pinnacle of club football.”
The competition will feature clubs from all six football confederations, including:
UEFA (Europe) – 12 teams
CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 teams
AFC (Asia) – 4 teams
CAF (Africa) – 4 teams
CONCACAF (North & Central America) – 4 teams
OFC (Oceania) – 1 team
The 12 European spots are allocated based on Champions League performances over the past four seasons, making UEFA the most represented confederation in the tournament.
With high stakes and a record-breaking prize pool, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises to be one of the most competitive and financially rewarding editions in history.
Manchester Citycoach Nick Cushing has revealed that match officials apologized to him after a controversial decision denied his team a goal in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
City took the lead through Kerolin, and they could have doubled their advantage when Jess Park scored after Kerolin was fouled near the penalty area. However, referee Kirsty Dowle blew the whistle for a free kick before allowing the play to continue, meaning Park’s goal did not count.
Chelsea took advantage of the situation, with Aggie Beever-Jones equalizing before Erin Cuthbert scored a late winner at the Etihad Stadium.
“The officials admit they got it wrong and should have played on,” Cushing said after the match. “The frustrating thing is after the [Laura] Coombs foul earlier on, because we were so dangerous on the counter attack when the whistle was blown on Coombs I asked her to play advantage. But three minutes later, it happens.”
Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor sympathised with Cushing’s frustrations but praised her side for their tenacity in the second half.
“From my opinion, the referee whistled since the beginning, even when the ball was not going into the goal so I think she made the right decision and it’s difficult after when you see the result,” she said. “So I can understand their frustration.
“If I was the City manager I would probably be in the same place. But again, I don’t think it changed our belief going into the second half. We created a lot in the second half, 24 shots on goal, their keeper made really great saves, we could maybe have scored more.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared his thoughts ahead of their upcoming match against Brighton this weekend.
Following a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in their last game, Guardiola is eager for his team to return to winning ways. Meanwhile, Brighton is in great form, having won their last six matches.
Speaking at a press conference, the Spanish coach praised Brighton for their smart approach to signing players and managers, as well as their impressive style of play. A victory in this match could help City climb into the top four.
“I think Brighton are one of the best clubs working on and off the pitch,” said Guardiola.
“I think they started with Graham Potter, they made a step forward again under Roberto De Zerbi, and now with this exceptional young manager who’s doing incredibly good things.
“It’s not a surprise I’d say, because they’re doing really, really well in the transfer market and the way they play.
“They’re absolutely one of the toughest opponents and in the past there are many teams who were in the middle positions or bottom or whatever, but they make an incredible step up in terms of organisation and consistency for many, many years, that’s the reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJQWKFoL1u8
“It’s not a secret what they’ve been doing. They’re in this position because they’re doing good things, they deserve to be (where they are) in the table.”
He next spoke about the rise of Brighton and other teams from the middle of the league who are challenging for European spots this season. Guardiola named five sides who he thinks could rival City until the end of the season.
“And Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, and Newcastle, and maybe Fulham. Fantastic teams,” he said. “Not a surprise. I had the feeling that they deserve it. They are really good, consistent, they have incredible weapons in the way they play.
Guardiola has admitted that he is not upset about Manchester City’s elimination from the Champions League after their defeat to Real Madrid. He acknowledged that his team is no longer in the competition and has accepted the outcome.
He also shared his thoughts on Atletico Madrid’s controversial exit, where Julian Alvarez’s penalty was ruled out because he made two touches before the ball went in.
“It doesn’t hurt. I don’t have any disappointment. We don’t deserve to be there,” he said. “I Enjoy football for the fantastic games. I am just a spectator to learn and enjoy. I don’t have any feeling that it’s a pity to be out.
“There are incredible teams like Atletico, Liverpool who are out. This competition, what happened with Julian (Alvarez) and Atletico – the margins. Can you imagine you are out of the Champions League for that reason? Atletico were brilliant with the style they played against Madrid but look at that and seasons being good or bad are judged on that.
Pep Guardiola has described securing Champions League qualification as a major success for Manchester City this season.
With 10 games remaining, the reigning champions find themselves in fifth place in the Premier League, having struggled with injuries to key players. Notably, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been sidelined since September, adding to the team’s challenges.
Despite these setbacks, Guardiola insists that finishing in the top four would be a remarkable achievement given the difficulties his squad has faced.
“Qualification for the Champions League would be a big success but you have to win it,” Guardiola said.
“I want to qualify for the Champions League. It will not be good [if City miss out] but I saw what happened with other teams in the past in the Premier League.
“Not being in the Champions League would be a problem but there are teams who didn’t qualify who have come back and are there.”
City could finish fifth and still qualify for the Champions League. The strong performances of English teams in UEFA competitions means the Premier League is on course to be awarded an extra Champions League place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeLzU4XI2fQ
It could offer a safety net to City, but Guardiola has said it won’t matter if his team cannot build a winning run between now and the end of the season.
“Whether there are five or six or seven [places], you have to win games,” he said.
“In sport, in knockout games sometimes details make the difference but in the Premier League over 38 games if you are not able to finish in the first four or five it is because we were not good enough.”
Manchester City will face Brighton, who sit in sixth place, at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday as they aim to recover from their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
Following the defeat, Pep Guardiola expressed concerns about his team’s sluggish ball movement, while defender Rúben Dias suggested that the dry pitch at the City Ground may have contributed to their struggles.
“With the pitch dry it makes things a bit more difficult,” Dias said.
“Last season here, Fulham was again. It depends on the weather as well and good will from everyone to make the game fast.
“We’re still there, try to look for the spaces. They have a low block and we need to be as versatile as we can to look for the spaces. Because the spaces will be there one way or the other. Always looking to do something better.”
A former Manchester City captain has weighed in on the club’s ongoing Financial Fair Play (FFP) case, stating that relegation from the Premier League would be a “major surprise.”
Speculation continues to swirl around the reigning champions as they await a verdict on their long-running FFP saga. With at least 115 charges leveled against them, various potential punishments—including demotion from the top flight—have been widely discussed.
Ex-City skipper Richard Dunne is not convinced that Pep Guardiola will be working in the EFL next season, telling GOAL when speaking in association with William Hill Vegas: “I wouldn’t have thought so. Setting aside whether they are found guilty or not – if they were to be found guilty, the damage it would do to the Premier League, in terms of demoting Man City, would be too much. It all comes down to what the result is.
“But City are a superpower in the Premier League and a team that the Premier League needs and a team that the opposition wants in the league and to play against. It would be a major surprise if something like that was to happen to them.”
Pressed further on whether a big points deduction could be in the pipeline for City, which would place their Champions League qualification hopes under serious threat, Dunne added: “Yeah. What has gone previously has been fines and points deductions – for the clubs that have been found guilty of any breaches. It’s been that level of sanction.
“I would imagine that if man city it will be something along the lines of a fine or whatever. I don’t think it’s going to be a demotion. Maybe a transfer ban or something like that. It’s all speculation because the whole process has been too long and very secretive. Nobody really knows what anybody else is thinking.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiolahas suggested that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri could make a return to action before the season concludes.
On Friday, the club shared footage of the Spain midfielder in training, sparking excitement among fans just hours before City secured their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a victory over Plymouth Argyle.
Despite the buzz, club officials remain cautious, refusing to set a definite timeline for Rodri’s comeback. However, given his absence has been deeply felt—City currently sit fourth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 20 points after suffering eight league defeats—it’s no surprise that his potential return has stirred anticipation.
For the first time since Rodri sustained a serious knee injury against Arsenal in September, Guardiola has expressed optimism about the 28-year-old’s chances of featuring again this season. With the FIFA Club World Cup on the horizon in June, his return would be a major boost for City.
“The fans must know they are not the only ones who are excited,” said the City boss. “It’s been five months or six months.
“But [it’s] one step at a time. We don’t have to make stupid decisions [for him] to come weeks earlier. He’s not close to coming back, but he’s touching the ball and is in the locker room.
“He feels confident and happy.
“I could not expect before [him to return] before the end of the season, not even for the [Club] World Cup, but maybe it’s going to happen.”
Guardiola also confirmed defender Nathan Ake will have more tests on a problem he fears might keep the Netherlands international out for some time.
“He struggles sometimes with the feet,” he added. “It’s been like this the whole season with the central defenders.”
Ake, 30, has been restricted to 18 appearances so far this season due to a succession of short-term injuries and was taken off at half-time against Plymouth.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has disclosed that he lodged a formal complaint againstManchester Citywith the European Commission, accusing the club of financial irregularities.
Speaking at the Financial Times’ “Business of Football” summit on Thursday, Tebas stated that the complaint was filed in 2023 and is currently under investigation.
Manchester City has not issued an official response, but a source informed ESPN that the club strongly refutes the allegations.
A spokesperson for the EU Commission confirmed to ESPN that LaLiga’s complaint had been submitted, adding that they “cannot comment on ongoing assessments.”
“City have a lot of companies in their group which lie outside the City Football Group structure, extra companies where they put their expenses,” he said.
“These other companies lose the money but not the club itself. We have reported Manchester City to the EU. We have the facts and figures.
“We asked for City to be checked. It’s very important that all clubs are subject to the same transparency rules and governance on both the sporting and financial side.
“The City case is one where we believe they have put the losses on the companies that are not officially part of City Football Group.”
“Do you remember the case in the United States? The Enron case. What they did, they got their losses and they put them into different companies. Well, it’s a similar case.”
“They [City] have a scouting company, a marketing company. That’s where they have very high expenses. They invoice City for less money. City have costs that are less than if they didn’t have this circle of companies around,” he added.
City are already ensnared in another legal battle as they refute charges of breaking over 100 Premier League financial rules.
Manchester City face an anxious wait over Erling Haaland’s fitness ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The prolific striker, who has scored 27 goals across all competitions this season, sustained a knee injury during City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle on February 15. As a result, he was absent from Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool, which left City in fourth place with 44 points.
“Tonight we will know after training,” Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday of Haaland’s prospects of playing against Spurs. “I hope so, but we don’t know yet. He feels better but we will see tomorrow.”
Despite Manchester City’s struggles this season, Pep Guardiola insists that rebuilding the squad will not be the toughest challenge of his career. He emphasized that he has successfully revamped the team multiple times over the past nine years.
Currently sitting fourth in the Premier League, City trail leaders Liverpool by 20 points and have suffered early eliminations from both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League. This season, they have already recorded eight league defeats—matching their total losses from the previous two seasons combined.
To reinforce the squad, City invested £180 million ($223 million) in the January transfer window, bringing in Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis, and Abdukodir Khusanov. With an average age of 21.6 years, these young talents are expected to play a crucial role in the next chapter of Guardiola’s project.
Kylian Mbappé,as the owner of Stade Malherbe Caen, made an unexpected visit to the struggling Ligue 2 club on Thursday.
The Real Madrid star, who became Caen’s majority shareholder last summer, used his day off in Spain to travel and support the team. With the club facing possible relegation, he met with the coach and players to boost their confidence.
“I want to show my support,” Mbappé told reporters. “To be in contact with everyone and for them to know that they can count on me, and especially in the situation we’re in.
“If I’m here it’s because I believe in the project. I wanted to come earlier but it was impossible. I told them [the team] that I was with them and that they had to believe. And I saw a group that is not resigned and wants to change the results.”
Mbappé’s visit came just two days after the club’s decision to sack manager Bruno Baltazar on Tuesday and appoint Michel Der Zakarian as his replacement.
Baltazar, who had only taken over the job in December following the sacking of Caen great Nicolas Seube, failed to turn results around.
Caen are winless since Nov. 2 and Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Annecy FC was their ninth straight league loss. Mbappé discovered early on how challenging ownership is with Caen fans upset over the dismissal of Seube.
In the team’s first game of 2025, Caen fans displayed a banner aimed at the Real Madrid star that read ‘Mbappé SMC is not your toy!’
Despite the French team’s dismal form, Mbappé, who scored a hat trick in Madrid’s 3-1 win against Manchester City in Wednesday’s Champions League game, is not giving up hope.
“I think that with the quality of the team and the support of the fans, things can change and I hope that this is a turning point,” he said on Thursday.
“In football, we have seen that nothing is impossible. There is a lack of confidence, but I think that a good run of results can change the team’s spiral.
“I understand the frustration of the people, as I have told them personally, because I have not been through this before. It is normal to be angry, but the people support, fill the stadium and our mission is to give our best.”
Pep Guardiolaadmits that Manchester City have a very slim chance—just “1%”—of staying in the Champions League as they prepare to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their playoff round on Wednesday in Spain.
Real Madrid, who won their 16th Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund in last season’s final, secured a 3-2 victory at the Etihad last week. They scored twice in the final minutes, overturning a 2-1 lead that had been given to City by Erling Haaland’s two goals.
Manchester City now face a tough challenge, as they have only won once at the Bernabéu—a 2-1 win in the round of 16 back in February 2020. To stay in the competition, they must find a way to defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s side on their home turf.
Guardiola, who has coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the past, admits the task ahead is extremely difficult. However, he remains hopeful that City still have a slight chance of making it to the next round.
“The margin to win in Bernabéu in that position [3-2 down], everybody knows that if you ask before the game, the percentage to go through, I don’t know, we arrive at 1%, or I don’t know what,” Guardiola said.
“It will be minimal, but as much as you have a chance, we will try, that’s for sure, you know? “The chance is minor because the result was not good — five minutes ago, with 2-1, it would be different.
“But with 2-3, the chance is less, but as much as you have a chance, we are going to take it, and we’ll see what happens.” City have endured their worst season since Guardiola took charge in 2016 during this campaign, losing 12 games in all competitions and surrendering their title hopes by mid-season.
And theCity coachadmits that, while this season has been hugely disappointing, Saturday’s 4-0 home win against Newcastle could provide a springboard for a recovery going into final weeks of the campaign.
“Listen, there are many, many games that we didn’t play the level we play, and at the end, we lost it,” Guardiola said.
“And that was not just the three points, it’s how it is affecting our minds for the next game. “It happened a lot of times. This season, the reality is that we have been miles, miles away.
Vinícius Júniorrevealed that a banner displayed by Manchester City fans motivated him to deliver an outstanding performance in Real Madrid’s 3-2 comeback victory in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Before the match at the Etihad, City supporters unveiled a banner featuring midfielder Rodri holding the Ballon d’Or trophy, which he won ahead of Vinícius last year. The banner also included the phrase “Stop Crying Your Heart Out,” referencing a song by Oasis.
Vinícius responded in style, playing a key role in Madrid’s win. He was named UEFA’s Player of the Match after assisting Jude Bellingham’s dramatic 92nd-minute winner with a perfectly placed lob over City’s goalkeeper, Ederson.
“I saw [the banner],” Vinícius told Movistar. “But when opposition fans do things, it always gives me more strength to play a great game, and here I did that. … [City] know our history, and everything we’ve done in this competition.”
Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October last year, in protest of Vinícius missing out on the trophy.
“I don’t know if Vini saw it,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said in his postmatch news conference. “But having seen the game, if he saw it, it was a big motivation for him.”
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said he was unaware of the banner but admitted that Vinícius is “an extraordinary player.”
Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his team has a “slight advantage” in the tie after their 3-2 victory, with the second leg set to take place next week at the Bernabéu.
“This is the way,” Ancelotti said. “We’ve been talking about it for a long time. The season really starts now, and despite all our difficulties, we’ve got a very good result.
“The four at the back [Raúl Asencio, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Ferland Mendy] had never played together or even trained together, and they had a spectacular game. … From this emergency, we got something good.”
Ancelotti said he expected two more senior defenders –– Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba — to be available for the second leg.
Carlo Ancelotti has likened the rivalry betweenManchester City and Real Madrid to a Clásico, as the two European giants prepare to clash once again in the Champions League. This marks their fourth consecutive meeting in the competition, with the Italian coach predicting that the winner will have a strong chance of advancing deep into the tournament.
Unlike their previous encounters in the semifinals and quarterfinals—where Madrid triumphed in 2022 and 2024, while City prevailed in 2023—this season’s showdown takes place in the knockout playoff round after both teams had underwhelming group stage performances.
Heading into the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, City are struggling domestically, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Madrid top LaLiga but are dealing with a defensive injury crisis, missing key players such as Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, and David Alaba.
With both teams facing their own challenges, this high-stakes encounter promises another thrilling chapter in their growing Champions League rivalry.
“It feels like a Clásico now, because we’ve played them now for many years,” Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference in Manchester on Monday. “I still think City are one of the best teams in Europe. City have the best coach [Pep Guardiola] in this competition. It’s one of the most difficult games you can have … And the same goes for us, we’re competitive, despite the emergency we face.”
In 2022, Real Madrid triumphed over Manchester City with a 6-5 aggregate victory in the Champions League semifinals. During the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid staged a thrilling comeback, scoring all three of their goals in added time to win 3-1.
When the two teams faced off again in the 2024 quarterfinals, it took a dramatic penalty shootout to decide the match. Madrid ultimately emerged as Champions League winners in both instances, while Manchester City claimed the title in 2023 after knocking out Madrid.
“It’s the most difficult rival, the most important rival, and the best manager,” Ancelotti said. “The team that goes through to the next round has the possibility to go far in the competition. In the last years, the team that won this tie, won the Champions League.” Ancelotti said facing Guardiola’s City is “always a headache.”
“He’s a coach who always tries to bring something new to his team,” Ancelotti said. “He’s done a lot for football in terms of possession, pressing, playing out from the back. He’s an innovator. I have a lot of respect for him … It’s always a nightmare preparing for the game.”
In 2022, forward Rodrygo starred when the two teams met, scoring twice in a minute to see Madrid progress.
“I was talking two or three days to [midfielder] Fede Valverde, about the game against City,” Rodrygo said.
“I asked him if we’d ever feel that emotion again. It was the most special night of my career … Sometimes I’ve been happy playing against [City], other times not so much. I’m in good form and I can be decisive. But I try to be decisive in every game, not just against City.”
Jack Grealishhas faced harsh criticism, with his boyhood club Aston Villa reportedly unwilling to consider re-signing him amid his ongoing struggles at Manchester City.
The England international midfielder, who became the most expensive player in British football history with his £100 million ($124 million) transfer to the Etihad Stadium in 2021, has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup titles with City.
Despite these achievements, Grealish’s performance has been questioned, with only two goals recorded this season.
Critics have noted that he no longer seems to glide past defenders as he once did, and securing a starting position under Pep Guardiola has proven challenging.
Grealish is now 29 years of age and has seen a move elsewhere speculated on. Quizzed by GOAL on whether he could return to his roots in the West Midlands, ex-Villa striker Stan Collymore – speaking in association with William Hill Vegas – said: “No. I sincerely hope not. I think Jack’s output is nowhere near the required level.
“If you look at the two players that have been brought in, [Marco] Asensio and [Marcus] Rashford, they can play either side of Ollie Watkins. There is a question mark over both – can they do it, will they do it? They have got pedigree.
“Jack, really, going to Manchester City and being a part of the treble-winning team – even then he wasn’t the main man, that was Kevin De Bruyne. He was good but not great. Last season, a stat of scoring one goal in just over a year… I don’t think he goes past people any more. [Jeremy] Doku when he first came into the team did that, [Omar] Marmoush you imagine will do that.”
Manchester Cityhave updated their Champions League squad for the knockout phase, including injured midfielder Rodri along with new signings Omar Marmoush, Nico González, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
However, Vitor Reis, who joined in January for €35 million ($36.2m) from Palmeiras, has been left out.
Marmoush, González, and Khusanov are all set to be eligible for the upcoming playoff tie against Real Madrid, which starts next week.
City, who finished 22nd in the league phase table, will host LaLiga giants Real Madrid in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with the second leg scheduled for February 19 at the Bernabéu.
Rodri will be absent from both games as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in September. Nevertheless, his inclusion in the squad suggests he might return before the season concludes.
The Ballon d’Or winner has expressed hope to be fit for the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in the U.S. in June.
City manager Pep Guardiola has advised Rodri to take his time with the recovery and avoid rushing back.
UEFA rules allowed City to make three changes to their squad ahead of the knockout rounds. With four new signings in January, the club opted to omit Reis from their list.
The 19-year-old defender, yet to make his debut since moving from Brazil, was named on the bench for both the 3-1 win over Chelsea and the 5-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Global transfers during the January window exceeded $2 billion (£1.6bn) for the first time in men’s football, with Premier League championsManchester Citycontributing 10% of the total spend, amounting to $223 million (£179m) on four new players, according to FIFA data.
Pep Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad Stadium was strengthened by the additions of Omar Marmoush, Nico González, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis during the January transfer window.
This helped solidify the Premier League’s status as the highest-spending league with a total outlay of $621.6 million (£498.7m).
Following the Premier League, the top five spenders were clubs from Germany ($295.7m), Italy ($223.8m), France ($209.7m), and Saudi Arabia ($202.1m).
On the receiving end, French clubs collected the highest amount in transfer fees at $371 million, followed by German clubs ($226.2m), English clubs ($185.2m), Portuguese clubs ($176.4m), and Italian clubs ($162m).
Brazil led the way with the highest number of incoming transfers (471), followed by Argentina (265), Portugal (207), Spain (200), and England (190).
Argentina also topped the list for outgoing transfers (255), with Brazil (212), England (211), the United States (188), and Portugal (170) completing the top five.
A total of 5,863 transfers were completed, marking a 19.1% increase from January 2024, which was the previous record, according to a report by FIFA’s Legal & Compliance Division.
The overall spending of $2.35 billion was 57.9% higher than the 2024 winter window and 47.1% above the prior record set in January 2023.
The most significant transfer of the window in men’s football was Jhon Duran’s $79.9 million (£64.1m) move from Aston Villa to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr.
In the women’s game, new records were also set, with $5.8 million (£4.66m) spent on transfer fees (+180.6%) and a total of 455 international transfers in January.
English clubs were the top spenders in women’s football as well, with $2.3 million in spending and 39 incoming transfers. January 2025 also marked the first transfer window in women’s professional football to witness transfer fees exceeding $1 million (£802.9k).
Manchester Cityhave completed the signing of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez for €60 million (£50 million).
The 23-year-old Spaniard becomes City’s fifth acquisition of the winter transfer window, agreeing to a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League champions.
City’s total spending this window now stands at £180 million, marking the second-highest expenditure by any club in a winter window, trailing only Chelsea’s £274 million outlay in 2023, according to Transfermarkt.
Gonzalez, who began his senior career with Barcelona in 2009, made the switch to Porto in July 2023. During his time with the Portuguese side, he registered nine goals and nine assists in 68 appearances, playing a key role in their Portuguese Cup triumph last season.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me at this stage of my career,” Gonzalez said. “I am 23 and I want to test myself in England. There’s no better club than Manchester City for me to do that. “Look at the squad they have here… it’s unbelievable, full of world-class players. There isn’t a footballer in the world who would not want to be part of this set-up.”
Manchester City currently occupy fifth place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 15 points after a heavy 5-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
The team has been struggling in midfield following the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who has been sidelined with a serious knee injury since September.
Meanwhile, new signing Nico Gonzalez recently made an impact for Porto, scoring the decisive goal in their 1-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League, securing their spot in the knockout phase play-offs.
“I know the reputationPep [Guardiola]has and I cannot wait to work with him. In fact, I am honoured he wants me to play in his team,” Gonzalez added. City have already signed Egypt forward Omar Marmoush, Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Sierra Leonean defender Juma Bah, who has since been loaned out to Lens.
Kyle Walkerhas shared details of his conversation with Pep Guardiola before leaving Manchester City, admitting that it was a difficult talk.
Walker, who moved to AC Milan on loan during the January transfer window, explained that Guardiola had previously mentioned Walker’s request to leave the club in order to finish his career abroad. The full-back has now opened up about the challenging conversation that took place between him and the manager.
He told a press conference: “When I spoke with Pep, it wasn’t a very comfortable conversation – mainly because of the respect we have for each other. What he’s won at Manchester City, I’ve won it too. I like to think he knows what I bring to a dressing room, the atmosphere I create.
City was my family – from the cooks to the cleaners, the kit men and physios. I like to think I was liked and helped everyone blend in.
But things weren’t going well there and I wasn’t playing enough football. Hopefully I can play a bit more here.”
Walker is now hoping to add more titles to his collection at San Siro and says he would love to lift the European Cup with the Rossoneri. He added: “Obviously I spoke with Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), he explained lots of different things to me, he told me about the great things we’re trying to achieve here.
We talked about the Super Cup, which was a good start. It’s not perfect in terms of the league, but there’s still a chance in the Champions League. I hope to contribute with my experience and leadership and to help Milan return to where it wants to be. Winning the Champions League would be a dream come true: I have experienced it in a great final with City.”
Walker has taken the No. 32 shirt at Milan, in honour of David Beckham, and has already been spotted watching his new side alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.He is expected to debut next month after all the paperwork relating to his transfer has been completed.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that teams are now more confident in facing his side compared to before, which could put their Champions League hopes at risk if he doesn’t find a solution.
Guardiola, whose team will play Chelsea at home on Saturday, did not directly say that City had completely lost their ‘fear factor.’
However, as he reflected on their difficult season, he pointed out that opponents are no longer as intimidated as they used to be and are now pressing City more aggressively.
Manchester Cityare currently in fifth place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points. Towards the end of 2024, they struggled, winning just one of their last 13 matches.
After their recent loss to Paris St-Germain, City now need to defeat Club Brugge on Wednesday to secure a spot in the Champions League play-offs.
“Everyone came to the Etihad and stayed back,” he said. “The first team I saw man-marking was Neil Warnock at Cardiff. Now everyone does it. Everyone comes here, it doesn’t matter, man to man.
“They just jump to Ederson or Stefan [Ortega]. You have to adapt, do it better with the ball, otherwise you are not qualifying for the Champions League.”
Pep Guardiola Photo Courtesy: Man City
Even though City have £123 million worth of new players ready for their Premier League match against Chelsea, Guardiola doesn’t think that will fix all their problems.
He brushed aside claims that running statistics show how well a team is performing. Instead, he believes the real issue is that his team hasn’t been using the ball effectively.
“Speedis important but against PSG we ran more than them,” he said. “Our problem is with the ball. This season it is what we have missed.
Desire Doue in action against Man City Photo Courtesy: AP
“If you have the ball and don’t pass properly to your mate, everything is so difficult.”
When City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the season, few would have predicted by the time the return meeting came around that Chelsea would be higher in the table and Guardiola’s team would be just a point in front of Bournemouth.
Kyle Walkeris set to leave Manchester City and join AC Milan after both clubs reached an agreement, according to ESPN sources.
The 34-year-old England defender will move to Milan on loan until the end of the season. The deal includes an option for Milan to sign him permanently in the summer, but they are not required to do so. Walker is currently under contract with City until 2026.
He is expected to arrive in Milan on Thursday to finalize the transfer.
Walker’s move means Milan will no longer pursue Marcus Rashford. The Italian club was interested in signing him, but Serie A rules on non-EU players have made the deal impossible.
Walker has not played for City since their 4-1 victory over West Ham on January 4.
Walker has not played for City since informing the club’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, that he wanted to leave during the January transfer window. As a result, manager Pep Guardiola left him out of the squad.
His departure leaves Guardiola with limited options at right-back. Rico Lewis is available for the position, and midfielder Matheus Nunes has also filled in when needed.
This month, City signed two young defenders—20-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens and 19-year-old Vitor Reis from Palmeiras—to strengthen their squad.
Walker, who served as City’s captain, leaves the club after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League, having joined from Tottenham in 2017.
Manchester City’sdirector of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised Omar Marmoush for his impressive speed and sharp awareness.
He also highlighted Marmoush’s ability to play in different positions as a great advantage for the team.
Marmoush started his football career with Wadi Degla in Egypt’s Premier League before moving to German club VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.
During his time in Germany, he was loaned to FC St Pauli and VfB Stuttgart before joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023. At Frankfurt, he played 67 matches, scoring 37 goals and providing 20 assists.
“Manchester City is one of the biggest clubs in the world over the past 10 years, so it was not a question,” Marmoush said.
“It’s a pleasure and an honour for me and my family to be representing Manchester City. It makes them happy; it makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality.
“The last two seasons have been great, but it is just the beginning for me.”
City have also signed 19-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30m and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £34m in the January transfer window.
Marmoush, who has played as a striker, a number 10 and a winger, said: “On the pitch I am fast, good on the ball, I try to see where the spaces are and exploit the spaces – and I’m dangerous.
“My main strength I would say is that I always want to win – that is from a character point of view.”
Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised Omar Marmoush for his impressive speed and sharp awareness.
He also highlighted Marmoush’s ability to play in different positions as a great advantage for the team.
Marmoush started his football career with Wadi Degla in Egypt’s Premier League before moving to German club VfL Wolfsburg in 2020.
During his time in Germany, he was loaned to FC St Pauli and VfB Stuttgart before joining Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023. At Frankfurt, he played 67 matches, scoring 37 goals and providing 20 assists.
Manchester City have signed defender Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens.
The 20-year-old has joined City on a four-and-a-half-year contract after the club agreed to pay €40 million ($41.6 million), plus additional bonuses.
Khusanov will wear the No. 45 jersey and is set to become the first player from Uzbekistan to compete in the Premier League.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time,” Khusanov said.
“This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.
“And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more.
“This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge.”
rewrite this completely different from the original in simple and plain English check punctuations and grammatical errors , ensure coherence and readability
“We are very happy that he has joined us and we are all very excited about what he will bring,” City director of football Txiki Begiristain said.
“For such a young defender, Abdukodir is already very intelligent, as well as being strong, aggressive and extremely quick. “Working with Pep will only make him better and, speaking to him, he is determined to keep improving.”
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiolabelieves his team has regained their top form after a dominant 6-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Sunday, which lifted them into the Premier League’s top four.
After struggling for the past two months, City bounced back in style, with Phil Foden scoring twice and providing an assist, while Erling Haaland also found the net. The crucial win took their points tally to 38, placing them in fourth position.
“We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years.
Really pleased for the three points and to climb into qualification for the Champions League for next season,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the match.
After struggling with inconsistent performances before and after Christmas, Manchester City finally got back on track with their win against Ipswich.
Guardiola was pleased with how his team performed.
“Much better, maybe not our best, but closer with the consistency we have in our game … Everyone with the ball was clever, quicker, faster, everyone is related. You cannot be quick, wise and good if you are not connected defensively,” Guardiola said.
For Ipswich, who remain in 18th place in the table on 16 points, the drubbing was a valuable footballing lesson.
Erling Haaland has committed to Manchester City with a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year contract, securing his stay at the club until the summer of 2034.
With this extension, the Norwegian striker will become the Premier League’s highest-paid player, earning over £500,000 per week—the first-ever player to reach such a figure.
This new deal replaces his previous contract, which was due to expire in 2027, ensuring Haaland remains at the Etihad Stadium until he turns 34.
According to Graeme Bailey, Haaland’s earnings will significantly increase through bonuses and image rights, further boosting his income.
This announcement ends speculation about Real Madrid’s interest in the 24-year-old forward.
Haaland shared his excitement about the new deal, expressing his commitment to a long-term future with Manchester City.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Since joining City in June 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 games and has lifted two Premier League titles, the Champions League, an FA Cup, and a Super Cup.
Pep Guardiola is planning to leave his £8.5 million mansion in Barcelona after separating from his wife, Cristina Serra.
According to Spanish media reports on Monday, January 13, 2025, Guardiola and Serra have decided to end their relationship after being together for 30 years.
Guardiola, who has three adult children with Serra, a fashion executive, usually stayed at their luxurious family home in one of Barcelona’s most exclusive areas whenever he visited from Manchester.
It is unclear where Pep Guardiola will stay in Barcelona going forward. When he’s not in the city, he lives at the Deansgate City Suites in central Manchester.
Cristina Serra is expected to remain in the family’s Barcelona mansion, which was once owned by former Mexican footballer Rafa Márquez.
Guardiola bought the luxury property, located in one of Barcelona’s best neighborhoods, from a Russian businessman in February 2021..
Head coach ofManchester City, Pep Guardiola, and his wife Cristina Serra have ended their 30-year marriage, according to El Periodico, as reported by goal.com.
While the separation has not been publicly announced, the couple has reportedly informed close friends and family, asking them to keep the news private.
Guardiola and Serra first met in 1994 when he was 20 and she was 17. They got married in 2014 and have three children: Maria, 24; Marius, 22; and Valentina, 17.
In 2019, there were reports that Serra had moved away from Manchester with one of their children to focus on her fashion business, which raised some concerns. Afterward, she split her time between Spain and London, while staying in touch with Guardiola, who remained in Manchester.
The exact reasons behind the separation have not been revealed.
Guardiola, who has faced a challenging start to the 2024/2025 season, is expected to focus on his work and try to improve Manchester City’s performance.
Manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiolahas challenged Jack Grealish to work hard and earn his spot in the team’s starting lineup. He urged the midfielder to regain the impressive form he showed during the club’s historic treble-winning season.
In the 2022-23 season, Grealish played 50 matches, scoring five goals and providing 11 assists, contributing to City’s triumph in the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.
This season, however, the 29-year-old England international has struggled to make an impact. His recent performance saw him left on the bench during City’s 4-1 victory over West Ham United, with Brazilian player Savinho taking his place in the starting lineup.
“Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho,” Guardiola told reporters.
“Do I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah, I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that. They have to fight. You can say it’s unfair.
“If you think that, then it’s fine, but you have to prove [to me], ‘Okay, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”
Grealish, who also spent a spell on the sidelines this season due to injury, has made just six starts for City in the league.
“Two weeks ago, he was injured and he needs rhythm, and to play, but players need training,” Guardiola said.
“I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players. They would not be here [otherwise].
“I know that he can do it because I saw him. I saw his level and I want that, every single training session and every single game.”
Manchester City have reported a Premier League record revenue of £715 million in their financial results for the year ending 30 June 2024.
Despite falling short of replicating their historic 2023 Treble, City’s achievements, including a fourth consecutive English league title, and wins in the Club World Cup and European Super Cup, drove a revenue increase of £2.2 million from their previous record of £712.8 million.
The club’s wage bill decreased by £10.3 million to £412.6 million, contributing to a pre-tax profit of £73.8 million. Commercial revenue also saw a slight rise, growing from £341.4 million to £344.7 million.
City have maintained profitability in every season since 2014-15, except for the Covid-affected 2019-20 season. Additionally, they announced a £92.8 million profit from transfers since June, including the sales of Julian Alvarez, Joao Cancelo, and Liam Delap.
This strong financial position provides City with the flexibility to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad in the upcoming transfer window, following a challenging period of just one win in their last 10 games.
“Our constant ambition to target and achieve the unprecedented is a mark of the organisation that we have be come,” noted City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak in his assessment, which was written before the club’s worst run under Guardiola.
“On and off the field, our passion for the next challenge is underpinned by deliberate and detailed planning and a shared belief in the collaborative learning culture that we have built.
“This organisational approach is now part of our DNA. It is a product of the unwavering focus on constant improvement, in every aspect of the organisation, that has been in place since His Highness Sheikh Mansour became the club’s custodian in 2008.”
That belief is being tested like never before.
The Champions League defeat by Juventus on Wednesday has left City at very real risk of missing out on a play-off place. Winning the tournament in 2023 earned City £111.8m from that competition alone.
They go into Sunday’s Manchester derby with United at Etihad Stadium fourth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
“Winning the Treble in the previous season did not generate any sense of complacency in our teams on or off the pitch,” said chief executive Ferran Soriano.
“We understand very well that the relentless pursuit of beautiful football, operational excellence, and constant innovation requires hard work and resilience.”
The accounts make no reference to City’s recent battlewith the Premier League over the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, and only a fleeting reference to City’s ongoing case with the Premier League over 115 alleged breaches of financial rules.
Manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, has shared his plans for the future and discussed where he might go after leaving the club.
Guardiola recently signed a new contract with Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2027. This deal will extend his time at the club to over a decade, during which he has already won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, four Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Looking ahead, Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City will be the final club he manages in his career.
He told famous Spanish chef Dani Garcia on his Desmontadito YouTube channel: “I’m not going to manage any other club after City.
I’m not talking about the long-term future, but what I’m not going to do is leave, go to another country, and do the same thing as now. Maybe a national team, but that’s different.”
Guardiola was linked with the England job in the wake of Gareth Southgate’s departure before Thomas Tuchel was appointed as the new Three Lions’ coach.
There has also been speculation previously that the 53-year-old was wanted by the Brazil national team, and there may be plenty of offers for Guardiola to consider once he does finally decide to part ways with City.
Guardiola’s City side are currently going through a sticky patch and dropped Premier League points again last time out against Crystal Palace.
The Catalan coach will aim to get his team back to winning ways on Wednesday at Juventusin the Champions League.
Manchester City’s head coach,Pep Guardiola,was nearly involved in a physical confrontation with a fan after a recent loss.
A video circulating online shows the fan mocking Guardiola over the defeat, prompting an unusually heated response from the usually composed Spanish manager.
The fan was heard saying, “Cry, mate, just because you lost,” as Guardiola walked past.
Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager, turned to confront the fan after hearing the comment, but his security team intervened to stop him.
It is still unclear if the incident happened after Manchester City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
City had beenstruggling, losing six of their last seven matches without a win. However, they broke the streak with a commanding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Pep Guardiola has addressed the visible cuts and scratches on his head, spotted during and after Manchester City’s dramatic Champions League clash with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium.
The City manager appeared with a cut on his nose and other marks on his head, prompting questions after a chaotic 3-3 draw that saw his team squander a 3-0 lead in the second half.
“Yes, it’s my finger here. With my nail,” Guardiola said when asked about the injuries, before adding, “I wanted to harm myself,” followed by a laugh.
Tuesday’s draw extended a dismal run of form for Manchester City, who had lost five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since 2006 before the game against Feyenoord. It marks the worst streak in Guardiola’s managerial career, with the Catalan coach never previously enduring more than three straight losses during his time at City, Bayern Munich, or Barcelona.
The pressure is only set to intensify for City, who now prepare for a daunting trip to face Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Reflecting on the game, Guardiola admitted his team is “fragile,” as Erling Haaland’s brace and Ilkay Gundogan’s goal were undone by Feyenoord’s spirited comeback. The Dutch side capitalized on defensive errors from Josko Gvardiol, with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez, and David Hancko delighting their 5,000 traveling supporters.
The final whistle was met with boos from some stunned City fans, but Guardiola insisted he understood the reaction.
“Last game against Tottenham, 0-4, they were there, the supporters, with applause,” he said. “They are disappointed, of course, we understand it. They have done it properly.
“People come here not to remember the success of the past. They come here today to see the team win and perform well, and we have to do so.
“They support us all the time. When we go away, our fans are amazing. Of course, they are completely right to express what they feel, absolutely.”
Guardiola also defended Gvardiol, despite the young defender’s costly mistakes.
“He is so young, he will learn. It will be a good experience,” Guardiola said. “The way he has played – he was the best player on the pitch, but I will be so wrong if I point specific things for our defeat.
“He is young and he will learn. He is a fantastic player, fantastic boy, and now more than ever must be helped.”
The 53-year-old Spaniard, who took the helm in 2016, has led City to an impressive 18 trophies, including six Premier League triumphs.
Guardiola’s previous contract was set to end after the ongoing season, but this renewal solidifies his future at the club. Reflecting on the extension, he expressed gratitude, stating he has “everything a manager could dream of” at City.
“Manchester City means so much to me,” Guardiola told the club’s website.
“This is my ninth season here. We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.
“Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
It was reported that Guardiola had agreed a new contract on Wednesday and the club confirmed the news a day later.
‘Hunger for success remains insatiable’
During his time in Manchester, Guardiola has helped City become just the second English men’s team to win the Treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season.
They have also become the first men’s team to win four successive English top-flight titles and to achieve 100 Premier League points in a single campaign.
“Like every City fan, I am delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City will continue, allowing his dedication, passion and innovative thinking to continue to shape the landscape of the game,” City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added.
“His hunger for improvement and success remains insatiable and the direct beneficiaries of that will continue to be our players and coaching staff, the culture of our club, and the English game at large.”
Manchester City currently sit second in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by five points, while grappling with an unprecedented run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions.
For Guardiola, this marks the first time in his managerial career—excluding penalty shootouts—that he has faced such a series of losses.
Theannouncement of Guardiola’s contractextension comes amid ongoing scrutiny over a Premier League investigation into 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations by the club. While City have denied the allegations, the case’s outcome could result in significant repercussions if wrongdoing is confirmed.
Despite the controversy, Guardiola has remained steadfast in his support for City, urging critics to hold off judgment until the investigation is concluded.
With Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool last summer, Guardiola now stands as the Premier League’s longest-tenured manager.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has sparked baby rumours by hinting on social media that he may soon become a dad.
He scored two goals in Norway’s 3-0 Nations League victory over Slovenia on Thursday, achieving the remarkable milestone of becoming his country’s all-time record scorer.
After the match, the 24-year-old took to Instagram, sharing a playful photo of himself sucking his thumb with a ball under his jersey, accompanied by the caption, “👶🏼🔜.”
Haaland has been on a record-breaking scoring spree, having netted 34 goals in just 36 appearances for Norway and 256 goals in 308 club matches. Now, it seems a baby could be on the way for the prolific forward.
Haaland will have a chance to increase his record tally for Norway in their upcoming Nations League match against Austria on Sunday night. Following that game, the former Borussia Dortmund star is set to return to Manchester City for their Premier League match against Wolves on October 20.
Manchester City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, is expected to depart the club at the conclusion of the current season, according to sources from ESPN.
Since joining the Etihad Stadium in 2012, Begiristain has been integral to the club’s achievements.
He and fellow former Barcelona executive Ferran Soriano were instrumental in bringing Pep Guardiola on board as the team’s manager in 2016.
Guardiola, who previously managed Barcelona from 2008 to 2012, is under contract until the season’s end and has yet to disclose his future plans.
Reports indicate that Begiristain will be involved in selecting his successor for the director of football position.
The new hire could start as soon as January 2025 and work alongside Begiristain during the latter part of the season to prepare for the upcoming transfer window.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QTc5IU4ugRU
As the head of recruitment, Begiristain has guided Manchester City through a remarkable period, securing seven Premier League titles and the Champions League trophy in 2023.
In addition to hiring Guardiola, he played a crucial role in signing star striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Begiristain and Guardiola share a close friendship, having collaborated extensively at City. Guardiola extended his contract in 2022, which keeps him at the club until the end of the current season.
While City hopes to retain him, Guardiola has notyet made a definitive choice about his future.
With over 15 years of managerial experience that includes tenures at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, Guardiola has expressed interest in leading a national team in an international tournament. He has previously been linked to coaching roles with Brazil and England.
After a slow start to the season, Foden capitalised on his second start of the campaign to shine on the European stage.
The match began with Ilkay Gundogan scoring the opener in the eighth minute, netting his first goal since returning to the team with a deflected effort.
Just seven minutes later, Foden found the back of the net himself, skilfully placing a shot into the bottom corner.
City’s dominance continued as they struck the woodwork three times, with efforts from Foden, Gundogan, and Jeremy Doku, but it was Erling Haaland who extended their lead, netting his 11th goal of the season shortly before the hour mark by rounding the goalkeeper, Dominik Takac.
In the 74th minute, Foden set up substitute James McAtee, who scored his first goal for City.
Despite several opportunities, including a stellar performance from goalkeeper Takac that kept the scoreline from escalating, the win marked City’s first in the new Champions League format following a draw againstInter Milan in their previous match.
Pep Guardiola hasconfirmed that Rodri is facing an extended spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury sustained during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The midfielder has gone to Barcelona for further medical evaluations after being substituted in the first half of the match.
Although surgery is expected, Guardiola mentioned that no definitive decision has been made regarding the specific procedure.
According to ESPN sources, Rodri’s recovery time could range from five to eight months, depending on the final assessment by the medical team.
Despite the severity of the situation, Guardiola remains hopeful that Rodri’s recovery may be quicker than initially feared.
“Still we don’t have the definitive [answer],” Guardiola said at a news conference on Tuesday.
“He will be out for a long time. But there are some opinions that it will be less than we expect. Right now I cannot tell you. We are waiting for the last phone calls and the type of surgery he needs. Tonight or tomorrow we know.”
Rodri’s extended time away from the pitch poses a significant challenge for Manchester City as they pursue their fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2019, he has become an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s team and played a crucial role in Spain’s triumph at the European Championship this past summer.
At 28 years old, Rodri is also considered a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, competing with Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior for the prestigious award.
“I trust a lot in my players. I have a duty to find a solution. He’s irreplaceable, when you don’t play with the best player in the world. My duty is to find a solution, be competitive like many years, and continue to be there.”
Guardiola was speaking after City booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Championship side Watford.
Manchester City have confirmed that Spain midfielder Rodri has sustained a knee ligament injury following a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey during their Premier League clash on Sunday.
Rodri, a key player for City, was substituted in the 21st minute after twisting his knee during a corner set-piece.
While the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed that the 28-year-old is expected to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Speaking after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Watford, Guardiola said, “Still we don’t have the definitive [diagnosis], but he will be out for a long time – a while. But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected.”
He added, “We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly.”
Rodri has traveled to Spain to consult a specialist following initial tests in Manchester. Guardiola has described him as “irreplaceable,” citing his critical role in the team’s recent success. Manchester City have not lost any of their last 48 Premier League matches when Rodri has started.
However, his absence has proven difficult for the team in the past. Last season, City were beaten in four out of the five matches Rodri missed. Additionally, Rodri has lost just once in 50 appearances across all competitions for both City and Spain.
Rodri was instrumental in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament. His stellar performances have also made him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player, next month.
The former Atletico Madrid star, who played 63 matches for Manchester City and Spain last season, recently raised concerns about the increasing number of games in the football calendar, with expanded tournaments like the Champions League and Club World Cup. He hinted that players are “close to” striking over the physical toll it takes.
City will now have to find a solution to cope with Rodri’s absence as they await further updates on his condition.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has called Erling Haaland’s actions a “coward’s move” after the Manchester City forward threw the ball at the back of Gabriel’s head following City’s late equaliser against Arsenal.
After John Stones’ goal, Haaland retrieved the ball from the net and threw it at Gabriel, who had his shirt over his head in frustration and was facing the other way.
Although the Video Assistant Referee reviewed the incident, it was not considered a red card offence, and no further action was taken.
The Football Association has confirmed that no additional action will be taken regarding any incidents during the 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, including a heated exchange between players at the final whistle.
“The one thing that boiled me up properly was Haaland’s coward’s move,” Wright said in a video on Instagram.
“Throwing the ball at Gabi’s head when he’s not looking. When Gabi’s back’s turned to him. Real coward’s move. Gabi would look him in the eye, you know.
“That’s what bothered me more than anything else. I thought you [Haaland] were bigger than that.”
Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori scored to overturn Erling Haaland’s early opener at the Etihad Stadium, but Arsenal’s momentum took a hit when Leandro Trossard was sent off just before halftime.
Despite being down to 10 men, Mikel Arteta’s side defended resolutely in the second half, only to be denied a win when John Stones netted an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
The draw leaves Manchester City one point ahead at the top of the Premier League, with Arsenal sitting two points behind in fourth place.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey marked his 100th appearance for Arsenal during a hard-fought draw against Manchester City on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The 31-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes, helping his team secure a point before a late John Stones goal denied Arsenal victory.
Partey, who joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020, has scored six goals and made three assists across his Arsenal career.
Notably, Partey’s debut also came against Manchester City at the Etihad, mirroring this milestone appearance.
He now reaches 300 league appearances overall, including his stints in La Liga.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has not ruled outKevin De Bruyne’s participation in the upcoming match against Arsenal, despite the midfielder suffering an injury during Wednesday’s game.
Guardiola hinted that there is still a possibility the Belgian star could be available for Sunday’s important clash.
“He feels a little better today… Tomorrow we train and we will see. He could be [involved],” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.
Kevin De Bruyne was taken off at halftime during Manchester City’s 0-0 draw with Inter Milan after sustaining an injury while attempting to latch onto a Jack Grealish through ball.
City now turn their attention to a crucial Premier League encounter against Arsenal, which could shape the title race. Pep Guardiola’s side remains unbeaten with four consecutive wins, sitting comfortably at the top of the table.
Addressing media concerns about the congested football schedule, Guardiola commented onRodri’s suggestion that a player strike could be on the horizon, emphasising the growing challenges players face.
“I agree with you, maybe for the first time, that many voices are talking about the players,” Guardiola said. “I’m pretty sure that if something is going to change, it must come from the players. They are the only ones who can change something.
“The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media, and owners, but without players you cannot play. The only ones to have the power to do it is them.
“And also, I’m pretty busy; they’ve done it to adjust the game, to make it more attractive. That’s the reason why many players around the world, not just Rodders [Rodri], are starting to talk. We’ll see.”
The midfielder was forced off with an injury during City’s 0-0 draw against Inter Milan on Wednesday night.
De Bruyne was substituted at half-time after sustaining the injury late in the first half while chasing a through ball from Jack Grealish. His availability for the Arsenal match remains uncertain.
“We’ll assess tonight and I’ll have more information tomorrow,” said Guardiola.
“The doctors said to me he wasn’t right to play but I was thinking about changing it at half-time anyway.
“When you are alone and lose easy balls, it’s a counterattack—it’s impossible to stop it. You have to be more precise. It happened especially on the left side with Kevin. We lost the ball without pressure, and when that happens, they can kill you.”
Despite starting their Champions League campaign with a draw, Guardiola insisted he was happy with City’s performance.
Inter had chances, but so did Guardiola’s team, including two late headers from substitute Ilkay Gündogan.
“It’s at the start of the season,” said the City boss.
“The displays will be better, with more time we will be better. We played so good. I love my team, we are a fantastic team. Inter are a team that defends really well. They are the masters of defending and transitions as well.”
Inter’s best opportunity fell to former Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who blazed over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.
“They put in a giant performance,” said boss Simone Inzaghi.
“I asked them to play exactly as they did. We all knowManchester City and what they are capable of. We knew we had to pull out all the stops and play a great game, and we did it. When we work well as a team, we make it hard for everyone.”
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has warned that players are nearing the point of striking due to the rising number of fixtures.
City is set to face Inter Milan on Wednesday in the Champions League, where a new format introduces at least two additional games before reaching the knockout rounds.
Furthermore, the Club World Cup, in which Pep Guardiola’s team will participate, has been expanded to include 32 teams and will take place next summer.
“I think we are close to that,” said Rodri when asked whether players would strike. “It’s easy to understand something general; if you ask any player, he will say the same. “If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see.”
With the revamped formats of the Champions League and Club World Cup, Manchester City will face a minimum of four additional matches compared to last season’s guaranteed fixtures.
While they only needed two games to secure the Club World Cup title last December, the upcoming summer will demand a more rigorous schedule.
If City reaches the final, they will be required to play three group stage matches followed by four knockout games.
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein is “worried” over the 115 financial charges the club are facing at the ‘Trial of the Century’.
City have been accused of violating financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, and are now the subject of a long-awaited hearing. The legal process, which began on Monday, is expected to last for approximately two months, with a final verdict unlikely to be revealed before spring 2025.
The charges cover a range of alleged breaches, from a failure to provide accurate financial details to non-cooperation with Premier League authorities during the investigation, which could result in serious consequences for the club.
The harshest penalty could see City relegated from the Premier League, although fines and point deductions are also potential outcomes if they are found guilty.
Bernstein, who served as Manchester City’s chairman from 1998 to 2003, shared his concerns about the charges in an interview with Sky Sports. He noted the gravity of the situation and expressed his unease as both a former chairman and a lifelong fan of the club.
“I am not surprised it has got to this stage. There are 115 charges, they cover a wide period of time, and on the surface, they are serious charges and have to be answered,” Bernstein said. “In a way, they should have gotten this resolved somewhat earlier, but these things do take time.
I am a City fan, as well as being an ex-chairman, and I am worried. On the surface, they look to be serious charges. City will have the best lawyers, they will defend themselves as they absolutely have the right to do, and we will see what happens. This is really heavy stuff.”
City have enjoyed tremendous success over the last 15 years, transforming from a mid-table club to one of the world’s most dominant football teams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8U3dmhpyXI
Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, City recently became the first team in Premier League history to win four consecutive league titles.
However, Bernstein is concerned that this remarkable achievement could be overshadowed if the club is found guilty of breaching financial regulations.
“It is a shame because the club has come from where it was, a club that was underperforming for many years, to become arguably the greatest performing club of all time with four Premier League [titles] in a row,” Bernstein explained. “To have the possibility of that being tarnished is really sad, but we will see what happens. We may find that they are not guilty of these things.”
Manchester City have been accused of multiple financial breaches spanning from 2009 to 2018, including 54 charges for not providing accurate financial data, 14 of which relate to undisclosed player and manager payments.
Additionally, the club faces five charges of violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, seven instances of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations, and 35 accusations of failing to cooperate with investigations.
If found guilty, these charges could severely damage the club’s reputation and achievements over the last decade.
The independent hearing into Manchester City’s alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial regulations finally began on Monday.
it was previously reported the trial would begin on Monday, with the hearing dubbed by British media as the “sports trial of the century.” It is expected to last for around two months.
The aim is for the final verdict, including any appeal, to be completed by the end of the 2024-25 season
Manchester City, who have claimed the English Premier League title four consecutive times, were referred to an independent commission in February 2023 over charges spanning from 2009 to 2018. The club has consistently denied any misconduct.
If found guilty of some or all of the charges, City could face severe consequences, including fines, point deductions, or even relegation from the Premier League. Such a ruling would cast a shadow over what has been one of the most successful eras in English football.
Since Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group took over in 2008, City have secured eight Premier League titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups, six League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
On Friday, manager Pep Guardiola expressed support for the trial, asserting that City should be considered innocent until proven otherwise.
“It starts soon and then [hopefully] finishes soon. An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward to the decision,” Guardiola told a news conference.
“We’re going to see. I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect, I know, what I read for many, many years.
“I am not a lawyer. [Striker] Erling [Haaland] is not a lawyer. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”
Manchester City faces multiple charges, including providing inaccurate financial details, not fully disclosing payments to players and managers, breaching Premier League and UEFA financial fair play rules, and failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations.
This isn’t the first time City has faced allegations of financial misconduct. In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-year ban on the club from the Champions League for inflating sponsorship revenues between 2012 and 2016.
However, City successfully overturned the ban after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
City said at the time of the referral to the Premier League’s independent commission that they were surprised by the league’s “issuing of these alleged breaches.”
The hearing, set to take place behind closed doors, is expected to last several weeks, casting a shadow over Manchester City’s quest for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Regardless of the outcome, both sides have the option to appeal, which could extend the process into mid-2025.
Last season, bothEverton and Nottingham Forestwere penalised with points deductions for violating the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, while Leicester City managed to escape a similar penalty after successfully appealing.
City Football Group recently commemorated its decade-long partnership with QNET by presenting a special plaque, recognizing Manchester City’s remarkable domestic and international achievements during this period.
The presentation took place at the VCON event in Penang, Malaysia, with Senior Partnership Marketing Manager Sony Kirton handing over the plaque before a vibrant crowd of QNET’s independent representatives.
Kirton expressed Manchester City’s appreciation for the enduring partnership, emphasizing that the ten-year collaboration marks a significant achievement for both organizations.
In a televised message, Ferran Soriano, CEO of City Football Group, reflected on the success of the partnership, praising the strong relationship that has helped Manchester City claim 28 trophies, including the UEFA Champions League and a historic quadruple.
He conveyed enthusiasm for continuing the collaboration into the next decade, recognizing the mutual benefits it has brought to both QNET and Manchester City.
“I want to congratulate QNET for reaching 10 years of partnership with Manchester City.
This is a unique and special achievement. We are so pleased to share an incredible mindset that would not have been possible without the support and commitment of everybody at QNET.
“I remember back in 2014 when I met the leadership of QNET, we promised that Manchester City would be a great football team, that will play beautiful football and win trophies.
We’re sitting here 10 years later and City has won 28 trophies within the period,” he said.
Trevor Kuna, QNET’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the shared vision and common goals between QNET and Manchester City, emphasizing their mutual commitment to global empowerment through their respective industries.
He encouraged QNET’s Independent Representatives to use this collaboration to showcase the authenticity and reputation of QNET as a leading direct-selling enterprise.
The much-anticipated hearing into Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is set to begin on Monday.
Manager Pep Guardiola, while acknowledging the pressure from rival clubs, has reiterated the club’s stance of innocence in the matter.
The reigning Premier League champions were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation by the league into financial activities between 2009 and 2018. City deny all the allegations and maintain that their case is backed by “irrefutable evidence.”
Speaking ahead of the hearing, Guardiola addressed comments from La Liga president Javier Tebas, a frequent critic of City, who claims that many Premier League clubs believe the club should be punished.
“I have spoken with many Premier League clubs and most of them understand that City should be sanctioned,” Tebas was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. In response, Guardiola stated, “For the first time I agree with Tebas. All the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure. But that’s why I say to Mr. Tebas and the Premier League teams, wait for the independent panel.”
He added, “Justice is there in a modern democracy. It’s not more complicated than that.”
The Premier League has accused City not only of financial misconduct but also of failing to cooperate fully with the investigation. The charges stem from allegations that were initially published by German newspaper Der Spiegel, which were based on hacked City emails. At the time, the club described the claims as “entirely false” and out of context.
If found guilty, City could face severe consequences, including points deductions, relegation, or even expulsion from the Premier League. Despite the weight of the charges, Guardiola expressed his confidence in the legal process: “Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”
Described as sport’s “trial of the century,” the hearing is expected to last ten weeks, with a verdict likely in early 2025. Guardiola, for his part, is eager for the process to move forward. “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon,” he said. “An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward to the decision. I’m happy it’s starting on Monday.”
City, owned by the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group, has enjoyed immense success since their 2008 takeover, winning eight Premier League titles, multiple domestic cups, and the UEFA Champions League. However, their financial practices have long been a source of contention for rival clubs, particularly Tebas, who has repeatedly accused City and Qatar-backed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of “financial doping.”
As the hearing begins, Guardiola is keen to see the matter resolved, urging patience and faith in the judicial process. “We believe we have not done anything wrong,” he affirmed, underscoring the club’s steadfast denial of the charges.
Manchester City could face a severe 100-point deduction, potentially leading to their relegation, as they prepare for the Financial Fair Play hearing set to commence on Monday.
The reigning Premier League champions, who have secured the title in the last four seasons, are accused of breaching financial rules from 2009 over a nine-year span.
If found guilty of financial misconduct, the club may be subjected to penalties ranging from hefty fines to possible expulsion from the Premier League. The case is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has told talkSPORT of the possible consequences for City if all of the charges brought against them hold up in a legal battle: “It can’t be a financial punishment; that would make everybody think the whole thing was a waste of time.
If you take a look at the hearing at both Everton and Nottingham Forest, the commissions both said this is a minor breach of the rules.
“Now if the allegations against Manchester City are proven, that surely has to be a major breach of the rules, effectively that the club misrepresented the money coming into the club.
The club have also been accused of disguising payments to players and managers through third-parties, effectively being paid offshore via Abu Dhabi for services provided by members of staff.
That is also completely against the rules, one would think, although it could be that it’s within the Premier League rules so we would have to be looking at a very significant points deduction.
“If all 115 charges are proven, then you would imagine the points deduction would be somewhere in the region of 60-100 points on the basis that they would want the club to suffer enough to be heading out of the division.”
Manchester City have consistently asserted their innocence and are determined to challenge the Financial Fair Play allegations to clear their name.
Should thePremier Leagueimpose sanctions, any appeals could extend the case into 2025. If the club faces expulsion from the Premier League, it would mark their first time outside the top division since the 2001-02 season.
