Pep Guardiola promised not to leave Man City even in case the club was punished to play in League One for violating financial rules.

On November 17, Everton became the first team in Premier League history to have points deducted for violating Financial Fair Play (FFP). The 10-point deduction takes effect immediately, causing Everton to drop to the bottom place, just ahead of Burnley’s goal difference.

Man City is having similar trouble when it is accused by the Premier League organizers of violating FFP 115 times from 2009 to 2018. An independent committee will investigate and handle it, but it takes two to four years. year.

Guardiola believes that many people want Man City to be punished like Everton, but affirms that these are two completely different cases. The Spanish coach also emphasized that Man City is “innocent until proven guilty”.

“Why should I not believe that Man City is innocent?”, Guardiola said on November 24 at the press conference before the match against Liverpool in round 13 of the Premier League. “The lawyers will defend before the judge. We wait and then will accept the verdicts. I will not sаy a word about Everton, because I do not know what actually happened. Those are two completely different case”.

If found guilty, Man City could be punished with relegation. Regarding this, Guardiola believes that his ability to continue leading the club in case it is demoted to League One – the third division in the English football pyramid, after the Championship and Premier League – is higher than if he and Man City protect the club. Successfully defended the Champions League title this season.

“You ask me again as if Man City has been punished. At this time, Man City is innocent,” Guardiola expressed. “But I certainly won’t consider the future if everything depends on whether the club plays in the Premier League or League One. That’s for sure.”

After that, Guardiola began sharing his expertise. The Spanish coach said that Man City is preparing to enter an extremely important December, starting with a big bаttle with Liverpool at Etihad’s home field. Man City is leading the Premier League with 28 points, and Liverpool is right behind with one point less.

After playing Liverpool, Man City has two other important matches against RB Leipzig in round five of Group G of the Champions League and Tottenham in round 14 of the Premier League. By the end of the month, Man City will attend the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup taking place in Saudi Arabia for the first time. This tournament also clearly determines the competing clubs, including Man City, host Al Ittihad, Copa Libertadores champion Fluminense, AFC Champions League champion Urawa Reds, CAF Champions League champion Al Ahly, CONCACAF champion Leon and the Oceania champions, Auckland City.

“In front of the home crowd, we have to impose our style of play even though we know how difficult it is when playing against Liverpool,” Guardiola said. “Man City has a busy schedule in December, and everything will be more comfortable in January. We need positive energy for the next moments.”

Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have taken turns dominating the Premier League since the German coach led Liverpool. In the last six seasons, Man City won the championship five times, while Liverpool won the other time and missed out on two titles by just one point.

According to Guardiola, competition with Liverpool and Klopp’s innovations push him and Man City to greater heights. “Klopp helps me become a better coach, and also the way Man City plays with transitions and runs. Liverpool is a great, top club,” the 52-year-old coach praised his opponent.

Regarding the personnel situation, Guardiola said striker Erling Haaland can practice and is open to the possibility of playing. Meanwhile, Ederson, Mateo Kovacic, Sergio Gomez, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Kevin De Bruyne are definitely absent due to ιnjury.