Guardiola asks for patience before assuming Man City guilt

MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola asked for patience before deciding whether Manchester City is guilty of financial rule violations, but insists he is more likely to stay at the club “if we are in League One than if we We were in the Champions League.

The 10-point penalty handed out to Everton for a breach of Premier League financial rules opened the door to an even harsher punishment for City if the 115 charges made against them in February were proven.

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Guardiola, however, said the cases were “completely different” but confirmed he would remain as coach if City were relegated or kicked out of the league.

“You ask us questions as if we have been punished,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday.

“Right now we are innocent until proven guilty. I know the people want that. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see and once the sentence is handed down we will come here and we’ll explain it. There’s a better chance of staying if we’re in Ligue 1 than if we win the Champions League.

Everton said in a statement they were “shocked and disappointed” by the 10-point deduction which left Sean Dyche’s side in the relegation zone.

There is no timetable yet for a decision on City’s charges, with the decision to be made by an independent panel.

“I won’t say a word about Everton because I don’t know the reality of what really happened,” Guardiola added.

“Maybe you know that but [I] » asked our team and these are two completely different cases. I know when people say, “Okay, City, why don’t they go to the Conference?” ” Wait. Wait. And then what happens will happen.

“They’re two different cases. It’s not the same. Honestly. I talked to my people and said it’s completely different. Okay, the other one is longer because it’s more complicated because there are 115 violations. So wait.”

Meanwhile, City face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and Guardiola hopes striker Erling Haaland will be fit despite suffering an ankle injury on international duty with Norway.

“He trained yesterday [Thursday] with a few small problems,” Guardiola said.

“Today we have the final training and I hope he can be part of it.”