EXCLUSIVE: Pep Guardiola 'bought and paid for by Manchester City'

Exclusive

Paul Macdonald | Brand Owner

Pep Guardiola is 'bought and paid for by Manchester City', according to journalist Nick Harris on this week's FootballTransfers podcast.

This week, City have been found guilty on almost all of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League, with the governing body citing 'sham contracts' related to over-inflated commercial revenue leading to breaches of the PL's financial regulations. City have officially lodged an appeal and continue to assert their innocence.

Pep Guardiola exited City this summer after 10 years in charge, and in a statement made on X affirmed his support to the club, saying: "I want every single Man City fan 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], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters.

"Let me be clear: we will get through this together.

"I love you all."

Guardiola has been quizzed before on Manchester City's ongoing legal case with the Premier League and always maintained that if the club had misled him he would quit, saying on one occasion: "If you lie to me, the day after I am not here. I will be out, and I will not be your friend any more. I put my faith in you because I believe you 100% from day one."

"Are you accusing me?"

When @RobHarris questioned Pep Guardiola after the 2019 FA Cup final. https://t.co/9xoA35AqLS

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) September 30, 2026

But speaking on this week's podcast with Duncan Castles, Harris, who has been investigating City's financial background from as far back as 2011, stated his belief that Guardiola remains too close to the club and branded his statement 'complete guff'.

Harris said: "His statement on social media the other day about I stand by City, he had previously said that should City be found guilty, he would walk away from the club and be really disappointed that the club had lied to him.

"And then suddenly on Wednesday, was it this week, he released a statement. I saw it on X saying, "My club, my chairman, my owner," right? You know, and all this guff about how he'll be with them forever. A. Pep Guardiola is bought and paid for by Man City. He remains an official ambassador to the club, and I suspect almost certainly he's still being paid by Manchester City to be an official ambassador for the Club.

"B. Your statement was guff Pep, complete guff."

Manchester City announced their intention to appeal on Friday, stating their belief that the commission's independent ruling contained 'clear material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe. The Premier League declined to comment further as proceedings remain ongoing.

The Football Association also released a statement on Friday, adding that the verdict has "significant implications for the integrity of the game."