Pep Guardiola explains support for Man City owners amid Newcastle takeover comparisons

Pep Guardiola expects Newcastle United to try and follow the Manchester City template for success after their Saudi Arabia-backed takeover earlier this season.

The Magpies have steered clear of relegation after spending £90million in the January transfer window following the takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). They travel to the Etihad on Sunday for what is now the richest game in world football and Guardiola expects further investment from Newcastle's owners to try and accelerate their push towards the top of the league.

With that will further come scrutiny on Newcastle and their owners, but Guardiola has always defended City's Abu Dhabi owners during his reign.

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City were initially handed a Champions League ban in February 2020 after UEFA's club financial control body found them guilty of a "serious breach" of financial fair play regulations, but on appeal that was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Guardiola revealed his defence of the club was based on trusting the owners, but that he had also told them he would quit if they ever lied to him.

“I am the spokesman for this club and every few days I’m here [in a press conference]. Every single word I said in all my press conferences, even if people don’t believe me, is because I truly, truly believe it. Why did I defend the club and the people? It’s because I work with them," said Guardiola.

“When they are accused of something I ask them ‘tell me about that’, they explain and I believe them. I said to them ‘if you lie to me, the day after I am not here’. I will be out and I will not be your friend anymore.

“I put my faith in you because I believe you 100% from