Pep Guardiola has vowed to stay at the helm of Manchester City with the club facing 115 charges over alleged financial breaches.

It comes despite the Man City boss previously stating he would walk out the door if he found out that he was being lied to about the club’s financial affairs. 

Speaking about the investigation into the club’s finances in May 2022, Guardiola said: ‘I said to them, “If you lie to me, I am not here. I will be out”,’ which has raised questions about whether a guilty verdict could end the Catalan’s time in charge.

However, speaking to the media for the first time after City were charged by the Premier League following the four-year investigation, Guardiola defiantly said: ‘I am not moving from this seat. I can assure you more than ever that I want to stay. More than ever. 

‘Sometimes I have doubts, seven years already is a long time. Now I don’t want to go. Not because people say “they lied to you Pep”. They didn’t lie to me. Look what happened with UEFA. It is the same case. Why should I don’t trust with my people? The CEOs of the 19 clubs, not my people.’

Pep Guardiola has vowed to stay at the helm of Manchester City despite the club facing 115 charges over alleged financial breaches

City are accused of breaching financial rules across nine seasons (Sheikh Mansour pictured speaking with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak) 

Guardiola passionately defended the club as they face serious scrutiny from the footballing world over their alleged breaches.

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‘We have already been condemned. It is the same as what happened with UEFA. We had already accusations, now we have charges,’ Guardiola added.

‘The club proved we were completely innocent. They are just charges and accusations.

‘My chairman, owner, CEO explained everything that happened. You know what side I am on.’

Despite the pressure on the club, the Man City boss is adamant that they will be cleared, adding: ‘I’m fully convinced we’ll be innocent.

‘It’s the second time of this story. We lived it before two or three years ago. Between the words of the 19 teams or the words of my people, I’m sorry but I believe my people.’ 

If found guilty, Man City (Erling Haaland pictured) could face a points deduction or expulsion

Back in February 2020, the club were banned from the Champions League and fined £25million after they were found to have seriously misled European footballing governing body UEFA and broken financial fair play rules.

This was then lifted by the court of arbitration for sport which also reduced the club’s fine to £9m.

Guardiola was grilled by the media ahead of Man City’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, where he is sure that the off-field distractions won’t impact their performance as they chase down leaders Arsenal.