Pep Guardiola leaves Man City: Manager restores confidence in financial charge

The City has strongly denied all allegations and said its case is supported by an “extensive body of irrefutable evidence”.

The Premier League claimed City had breached rules which require the club to provide “accurate financial information which gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position”.

But three years later, the outcome of the complaint remains unknown, with the independent commission yet to issue a verdict.

Asked why he has defended the club so fiercely during his tenure, Guardiola said: “I believe in them. I spoke to them and believed in how they behaved and how they did it. What happened, happened.”

Guardiola took over in 2016 and although there is no suggestion the Spaniard was aware of any alleged wrongdoing, there is a two-year overlap with the questions and his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added: “There will be a resolution, but none of the staff, the backroom staff or mainly the players and the manager were here.”

Guardiola, 55, will be an ambassador for the City Football Group, which includes Manchester City A part, however, plans to take a break and not return to coaching “for a while”.

Asked if he would return to Manchester for a press conference once the results of the allegations were made public, Guardiola said: “If you find me, yes, it will be difficult.”