Man City's Champions League ban could see Pep Guardiola leave and a player exodus follow, Clinton Morrison told Soccer Saturday.
Guardiola's current deal is due to expire in 2021, the halfway point in a two-year suspension City were handed by UEFA on Friday night for breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
City are appealing the ban, but as it stands this season will be the manager's last chance of delivering the Champions League to the Etihad before his contract is up.
And Morrison expects UEFA's decision to have repercussions for the futures of City's playing staff and Guardiola, who twice led Barcelona to the Champions League and has managed in the competition every season of his career to date.
He said: "It wouldn't look great if he jumped ship now. They've still got this season, and people are still making them favourites to win the Champions League - I don't know how, for me Liverpool are the favourites to go on and win the Champions League this season.
"But it'd be a massive blow. If City can't play in the Champions League for the next two seasons, I can't see him staying around.
"He's already won the Premier League a few times, he's not going to be happy with that. Two years without being in it? Then I think it'll have a knock-on effect, and they'll end up losing players. Can they attract the players? Listen, Man City are a huge club and they've got all that money, but if you're not playing Champions League football are the players going to come?"
'CAS verdict could devalue 2014 title win'
City have already confirmed they will challenge UEFA's ruling, which they have vehemently criticised, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) - the same body which reduced Chelsea's two-window transfer ban to one window last year.
The Premier League are also conducting their own investigations into City's conduct with regards to FFP rules, and Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier said if CAS ruled UEFA's ban as lawful, it would overshadow the club's 2013/14 Premier League win which came during the period covered by the original investigation.
He said: "You'd probably have to say it does. They won it by breaking the laws that are in place. It clearly would tarnish it a little bit. I don't think it'll ever be expunged from the records, but there'll be an asterisk against it for ever more.
"A points deduction is what they could give. They'll still be challenging for the title. They have to seen to be doing something."
shibli69
0
save Barcelona
Bendiga
0
Please don't compare Man City players Paul Scholes who refused to leave Man U for Juventus and Stevie G who refused temptations to lure him from Liverpool with Mancity players. The 2 players were committed to the shirt colours while Mancity players joined for money and being on the big stage. Their loyalty is not much to shirt colour and they can leave anytime
What the heck are you talking about here?? Reading is fundamental please read with understanding
sozcdilryz
1
pep may stay because he will have a ready made excuse for not being able to win UCL for the next 2 seasons
lesaceoyz
0
People need to cut this crap talk out bout players will go and won’t come to a club if they’re not playing champions league, that’s no passion whatsoever shown towards a club cuz if you dearly love a club then the players will fight with that club through thick and thin.
Please don't compare Man City players Paul Scholes who refused to leave Man U for Juventus and Stevie G who refused temptations to lure him from Liverpool with Mancity players. The 2 players were committed to the shirt colours while Mancity players joined for money and being on the big stage. Their loyalty is not much to shirt colour and they can leave anytime
Mariano6
0
Pep should come bk to barca. Barca really need him now than ever since messi is underway to his exit as year goes by... #pep#barca
Rufusngwa
0
only teams like arsenal,manchester united and Chelsea are happy about Manchester city ban because the can at least qualify for champion league
Allforyou123
1
Guardiola currently.. the blow from UEFA hit him
NumairRed
2
Pep will be a real d*ck if he left Man City in these circumstances
Filippo04
8
Sack Sarri, bring Pep!!! ⚫⚪
fandeiknpz
2
man city vs Real maderit
Wezbcins
3
it's Pep fault they in this mess, always want to sign new players for everything
The punishment is on what City did in 2012-2016 when Pep wasn’t here yet lol
Namakpsy
3
it's Pep fault they in this mess, always want to sign new players for everything
Chima92
4
Only Man Utd fans and managers will still stick with the club in situations like this. Now we shall know the loyal fans, players, managerial staffs in City...
KESK
2
One season ban may be ok, but two season is totally injustice 😌
Meer456
2
Rxziqxel2002
3
now's the time to test the managers and players loyalty
Also the fans
MJOLIXV
0
they must be aware that Guardiola is leaving them and Messi is not coming anymore
FaithEvans
3
All the Messi to Man City rumors would finally die down and there's a possibility that Pep Guardiola goes back to Barça... its all good feelings for the Culés
fucbcdeilu
1
now's the time to test the managers and players loyalty
Bendiga
2
People need to cut this crap talk out bout players will go and won’t come to a club if they’re not playing champions league, that’s no passion whatsoever shown towards a club cuz if you dearly love a club then the players will fight with that club through thick and thin.
Utdslim
1
I can't see Debruny, Sterling, Aguero and Silver staying either
RopewalkerCR7
2
welcome to juventus baby🔥🔥
Mokekrt
2
Dont tell us the talk of England's old donkeys who sitt in skysport studio the 24 hrs.
SINGAM23
5
Verdict has Vandalized Citizens [Crylaugh]