Pep Guardiola and Raheem Sterling are planning to stay at Manchester City despite UEFA banning them from European competitions for the next two seasons.
They have been forced to sit out all UEFA tournaments until the 2022/23 season, and were also handed a £24.9m fine.
That has led to speculation Guardiola, whose only season outside the Champions League as a manager came when he was in charge of Barcelona's B side during the 2007/08 campaign, could choose to walk away from Man City.
However, he is understood to have told his players that he is committed to the club and will not leave.
Guardiola's deal expires at the end of the 2020/21 season and he has no intention of cutting it short. The 49-year-old has never broken a contract as a manager.
As well as Guardiola, Sterling is also understood to be totally committed to City and will not push for a move, despite the absence of European football.
The 25-year-old and his team-mates are believed to be focusing on finishing the season strongly - particularly in the Champions League, given it could be their last season in the competition for two years.
Sterling and the rest of City's players are leaving the handling of the UEFA ban to the club's hierarchy.
maxm70
1065
I just hope they are telling the truth. Especially Pep Guardiola. I know he is a guy who likes to play for clubs who are in the champions league. Lets see what happens in the future.
Angus T
909
Test of Loyalty .. who stay will be most loyal fans and coach
skm95
818
They'll be the first to run away this summer[Crylaugh]
DarkKing2010
564
Sterling and Guardiola are very loyal to MAN City. I think Guardiola want to win the UCL as a response to their 2 year UCL ban.
wdhibbert
408
I know it out of all the players at City o know sterling would stay... That's real Jamaican blood loyal to the end when you put ur heart and soul into what yu believed in..... RESPECT TO SIR STERLING
Rozlosuz
328
Manchester City can will the epl next season because anything is possible in football🏆⚽🏃
Mancitymydna
312
There are many great coaches who never won champions league. Why do some fluke football fans here measuring coaches by champion league trophies 🏆? Try to understand football. The former Ronaldo of Brazil was a great footballer but he never won the UEFA champions league, so that means if a player today wins the UEFA champions league cup, he is better than the Brazilian Ronaldo? You people should get a life stop all these cheap talks and childish comments. Even pep never win champions league again he is still a great coach. He has won it all. Even he retires today he already achieved it all. His CV says it all. There are coaches who have retired and never achieved what pep has achieved so far. People don’t like you they only focus at the negative side to comment they skip your good side and whipper it. Hypocrites.
LazlowMorningstar
186
test of loyalty City...it always is easier in the beginning
AN-WAR
140
A Real Hero does not flee away of his Soilders on the Battle field. Pep Should stay Man City and Helps them to this critical Moments.
DemonSoul
136
Unlucky Sterling, I'm glad Liverpool sold him. He left Liverpool for Man City because he wants to win UCL. After he left Liverpool won UCL and Man City still trying to win UCL but now they got banned form Competition. [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]