Guehi says City squad stayed calm after 115-charge guilty verdict due to club trust

Marc Guehi says Manchester City’s players remained largely untroubled by the club’s guilty verdict on 115 financial rule charges, crediting strong communication from club leadership for keeping the dressing room calm.

The centre-back, who joined City from Crystal Palace in the January transfer window, was speaking publicly for the first time since the verdict landed roughly three weeks ago. City have maintained their innocence throughout and are appealing the ruling.

“The club notified everyone straight away so we were pretty calm,” Guehi said. “There were a lot of relaxed faces because we have a lot of trust and belief in the club and what’s been going on here.”

Guehi is one of four players selected by manager Enzo Maresca to form a leadership group at the Etihad. Captain Ruben Dias and vice-captain Erling Haaland — both at the club when the charges were first announced in 2023 — have encouraged the squad to concentrate on results on the pitch rather than the noise surrounding the case.

“It can be very easy to listen to the noise and be affected by everything going on,” Guehi added, “but I’m so happy to see the team spirit and everyone taking to what’s happening and just focusing on the football.”

Despite having been at the club for only a matter of weeks when the verdict broke, the 26-year-old said he had no hesitation in trusting the messages he received from those above him. He also made clear he intends to remain at City for the long term, regardless of the outcome of the appeal.

“Ever since I’ve got here they’ve been nothing but fantastic with me,” he said. “The support that I’ve had with tough times on and off the pitch — I’m aware of the success the club has had and I want to be part of the future success. You get the sense from everyone at the football club that it’s a family club, people love one another. I can only talk from my experience.”

City’s appeal against the verdict is ongoing, with no timeline yet confirmed for a resolution.