Pep Guardiola planning shock Man City return to show support after guilty verdict

Pep Guardiola handed over the reins to Enzo Maresca as manager of Manchester City this summer, but the Catalan boss is planning to be present at their next home game

Pep Guardiola is planning a shock return to the Etihad, in a show of support to his troubled former club Manchester City.

Guardiola is expected to attend City's next home game, which will be against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on October 14. It's understood the Spaniard has told senior club figures he would like to "be with his people".

City have been engulfed in a total crisis since being found guilty by an independent commission of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.

The club continues to plead their innocence - and have lodged an appeal.

Guardiola stood down as manager at the end of last season, and has been spending time back in Barcelona taking a break from the game.

He won a staggering 20 trophies in just 10 years, although his legacy will now be tainted due to the fact some of his success was achieved during the timeframe which has been investigated.

Guardiola was also in charge during the entirety of the four-year investigation. He was consistently asked about the matter, but always insisted club bosses had told him there had been no wrongdoing.

Earlier this week he took to social media to post a message of support to his former club. Guardiola, who was City manager between 2016 and 2026, said: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.

"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran (Soriano, CEO), the players, staff, Enzo (Maresca) and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear - we will get through this together. I love you all."

In a statement on Friday confirming their appeal, City wrote: "The club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.

"The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.

"We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."