Pochettino condemns 'period of deception' after Man City found guilty of Premier League breaches

Mauricio Pochettino has condemned what he called “a period of deception” in English football after reports emerged that Manchester City had been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, saying the damage to the sport cannot be undone regardless of the punishment handed down.

An independent panel reportedly found City guilty of all but one of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, news that broke on Friday. City deny any wrongdoing and could face penalties ranging from fines and points deductions to relegation.

“Whatever punishment (they choose), it’s impossible to turn back time. It’s done a lot of damage,” Pochettino, now head coach of the United States men’s national team, told reporters on Monday. “At the end of the day many clubs followed the rules and some didn’t. What are they going to do? An economic punishment? Docking points? It’s really hard. It’s sad.”

The Argentine added: “If it’s true all of the 114 rules that were broken, we’ve lived through a period of deception.”

Pochettino’s comments carry particular weight given his own experience managing under tight financial constraints in the Premier League. He pointed to an 18-month spell at Tottenham — during which the club was building its new stadium — when Spurs made no transfer signings at all.

“I think we were the only team in the history of the Premier League with 18 months without (making a transfer),” he said. “They were so strict with us but also so lenient with others. Because of that, that’s why I say, it’s all very strange.”

Earlier this month, Pochettino had also called for Chelsea to be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title — awarded instead to Tottenham — following Stamford Bridge’s record fine for separate rule breaches. He managed Chelsea during the 2023-24 season.

Pochettino’s Premier League career as a manager spans Southampton in 2013-14, Tottenham from 2014 to 2019 — where he guided Spurs to a second-place finish in 2017 and the Champions League final in 2019 — and Chelsea. He was sacked by Tottenham in November 2019 after a poor start to the season, with Jose Mourinho appointed as his replacement.

Manchester City had not responded to a request for comment at the time of reporting.