Guardiola returns to Etihad early to stand by City after guilty verdict

Pep Guardiola has made an unplanned early return to the Etihad Stadium to watch Manchester City face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, days after an independent panel found City in breach of 114 Premier League regulations.

The expectation had been that Guardiola, who left City at the end of last season, would keep his distance for some time. Instead, the 55-year-old flew into Manchester on Wednesday and will watch the match from the directors’ box alongside chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak. Discussions with Al-Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano are expected to take place ahead of kick-off.

Guardiola broke his silence on the verdict via social media, writing: “I want every single @ManCity fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

It has been reported that Guardiola had no original intention of returning to the club so soon after his departure, but the scale of the verdict — and his conviction in City’s innocence — prompted the change of plan.

City have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and formally lodged an appeal against the outcome in early October. A ruling on that appeal is expected in early 2026, with the club continuing to compete in the meantime.

The PSG fixture is City’s first home match since the verdict was announced, and it arrives on the back of a significant result. City defeated Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday to maintain a perfect winning record in the league this season, with the players keeping their focus despite a hostile atmosphere at Anfield.

Caption Ruben Dias acknowledged the weight of that result while insisting the squad remains locked in. “It’s a win at Anfield,” he said. “In whatever circumstance — I and we will enjoy it just as much. Yes, there’s a lot of noise, and it’s almost impossible to avoid seeing something. But I feel like we’re all so very good at focussing ourselves on our job.”

Back-to-back Champions League champions PSG represent a stern test for City’s first European home night since the verdict, making Guardiola’s presence in the stands all the more symbolic.