Pep Guardiola reveals reasons behind stern defence of Manchester City amid 115 charges from Premier League | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the reasons why he continuously defends the club amid ongoing criticism surrounding their 115 Premier League charges.

The Premier League champions have maintained their relentless success since the charges were first publicly issued to them back in February 2023, claiming a historic Treble, a first UEFA Champions League crown, and a record-breaking fourth successive top-flight title.

In that time, Pep Guardiola has consistently been asked about the subject of the charges, and how he feels towards them, particularly what the future holds for himself and the club should they face a worst possible outcome at an ongoing independent hearing.

Most recently, Guardiola raised the subject of the charges without being questioned on them, when responding to comments made by Mikel Arteta implying that he has ‘inside information’ on the Etihad Stadium club.

Now, speaking in the build-up to Manchester City’s meeting with Fulham on Saturday afternoon, Pep Guardiola offered the truth to reporters behind his ongoing defence of the organisation amid external criticism surrounding their 115 Premier League charges.

“I’m part of this club, deep inside of my bones, and the best way to defend the club is winning games and doing my job as best as possible,” Guardiola said. “We cannot misunderstand the reason why I am here.”

He continued, “But at the same time, I’m the person – and managers at all the clubs – who talks more through all the media, to send a message to the fans, or whatever. And of course I’m going to defend my club because I trust, since the owner and especially since the chairman for the relationship and CEOs and the all the people working here, for many, many years.

“I know them quite well, much more than any of you. And of course, the people around. But the best way to defend is doing our job the best. Every people working here has his own responsibility. And my responsibility is try to hold my players in their hands, and together to win the games. And this is the best way to defend.

“The rest? Of course, there are situations in eight or nine years that always are there, some of them are unexpected, some of them are more tough to deal, but it is what it is. So there are no complaints, and do what we have do.”

Pep Guardiola went on to reiterate his personal affection for Manchester City, “I’m part this club, I’m not just a manager, I love this club, and always it will be that way, because it cannot be different from the way they have treated me since day one, it’s impossible.

“When you give something, and they give me a lot, the rest is the consequences. It’s simple.”

Manchester City take on Fulham in their next Premier League encounter, and the final contest before the October international break, hoping to return to winning ways in the top-flight after successive draws against Arsenal and Newcastle.