Pep Guardiola to Return to Etihad for Man City’s PSG Champions League Tie
Pep Guardiola is set for an emotional Etihad Stadium return on Wednesday when Manchester City host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, his first visit since leaving the club in the summer.
The former City manager will sit with the club’s hierarchy, including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, as the champions deal with the consequences of an independent commission’s verdict over their commercial income.
City were found to have overstated commercial revenues by £830 million through contracts judged to be sham arrangements. The club have filed an appeal, reject wrongdoing and are contesting the sanctions.
Guardiola backs City
Guardiola, who spent 10 trophy-filled years in charge at the Etihad, publicly pledged his support immediately after the ruling. He told supporters that he remained behind the club, its ownership, Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano, players, staff, Enzo Maresca and the fanbase, adding that City would face the situation together.
Soriano has previously described the Premier League’s financial case as a conspiracy theory. Guardiola’s return is expected to provide a lift to Maresca and his staff while the appeal continues.
Maresca worked under Guardiola during City’s Treble-winning campaign and remains close to his former boss. Long-time Guardiola colleague Manel Estiarte is also expected to attend the PSG fixture.
What happens next
- Manchester City travel to Anfield on Sunday for a major Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
- Maresca must keep his players focused despite the legal and disciplinary uncertainty around the club.
- City then return to the Etihad on Wednesday to face PSG, with Guardiola due back in the stands.
