Guardiola says he will stay even if Man City relegated

Pep Guardiola said on Friday he would remain at Manchester City even if the club were to face relegation from the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial rules.

Guardiola, who has won six Premier League titles in the past seven years with City, signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday, committing him to the English champions till 2027.

A hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against City has been ongoing for several weeks, with a verdict expected before the end of the season.

The club have strongly denied any financial wrongdoing, but could face a severe points penalty if found guilty of some or all the charges.

“I said that six months ago, one year ago when all the clubs accuse us of doing something wrong. If we get relegated, I will be here,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tottenham’s visit on Saturday.

“If they send us to the Conference (fifth tier) we will come up and up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.”

Guardiola’s decision to extend his deal is also a boost during a rare period of on-field turmoil.

For the first time in the Spaniard’s managerial career, his team have lost four consecutive matches.

But the 53-year-old hit back at City’s critics, pointing to their success in becoming the first side to ever win four English top-flight titles in a row.

“When you are here for nine years, with a long time at one club, you live all the scenarios, all the situations,” added Guardiola.

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“You’re able to lose four games in a row, but at the same time you’re able to win four Premier Leagues in a row.

“The difference is that most of the teams are able to