Pep Guardiola is reportedly preparing to return to the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City face one of the most difficult periods in the club’s recent history.
The former City manager is expected to attend the Champions League home match against Paris Saint-Germain on October 14, according to reports. Guardiola has reportedly told senior figures at the club that he wants to “be with his people” during the current crisis. (AOL.com)
The match is scheduled to take place at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City hosting PSG in the Champions League. (Manchester City FC)
Guardiola left his position as Manchester City manager at the end of last season after a decade in charge. During his time at the club, he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League. (Reuters)
His reported return comes shortly after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations covering the period from 2009 to 2018. The club has rejected the findings and has lodged an appeal. (Sky Sports)
Guardiola has already publicly expressed his support for the club since the verdict. In a message to Manchester City supporters, players, staff and officials, he said he remained behind the club and that they would get through the situation together. (Reuters)
A visit to the Etihad for the PSG match would therefore be a visible show of support from a manager who became closely associated with Manchester City during his ten-year tenure.
The club’s legal situation remains unresolved while the appeal process continues. For now, attention will turn to the Champions League meeting with PSG on October 14 and whether Guardiola will indeed be in the stands for his reported return.
Source: Daily Express
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | +8 | 15 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 12 |
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +11 | 10 |
| 4 | Brentford | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +4 | 9 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| 7 | Everton | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 9 |
| 8 | Hull City | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | +2 | 8 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 7 |
| 11 | Ipswich Town | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 6 |
| 12 | Manchester United | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 5 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 4 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 |
| 16 | Aston Villa | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | 4 |
| 17 | Bournemouth | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | -2 | 3 |
| 18 | Coventry City | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -9 | 3 |
| 19 | Fulham | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| 20 | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -6 | 2 |
