“Don’t worry, we’ll beat them” — Manchester City tells Guardiola

Manchester City braces for what has been labeled the “trial of the century,” the club’s hierarchy has stepped in to reassure manager Pep Guardiola and his players that they will emerge victorious in the legal battle. The Premier League champions are set to face 115 charges of alleged financial misconduct, spanning nearly a decade from 2009 to 2018, with a hearing scheduled to begin on Monday.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, confidence within the Manchester City camp remains high. The club’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, and CEO, Ferran Soriano, have reportedly spoken directly to the squad, assuring them that no rules were broken, and that the club will come through the proceedings unscathed.

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Aymeric Laporte, who won five Premier League titles with City before his recent move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, shed light on the mood in the dressing room.

In an interview with Mail Sport, Laporte revealed, “When I was there and the news broke, Txiki and Ferran came and told all the players and staff that we can all be very calm because not one rule has been broken by Man City. They told us everything was fine, so that’s why we all think City will be fine. I don’t think there will be any issues.”

The charges, related to City’s financial dealings, sponsorship arrangements, and alleged breaches of Premier League regulations, have cast a shadow over the club’s recent success. However, the belief from within is that the club’s dominance on the pitch—eight Premier League titles since 2012, including six in the last seven years—will not be marred by legal setbacks.

Manchester City has been here before.

In 2020, the club famously overturned a two-year European ban handed down by UEFA for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in City’s favor, clearing them to continue competing at the highest level. This history of successful legal defenses is likely adding to the sense of calm within the Etihad.

The upcoming trial, expected to last 10 weeks, could shake the foundations of English football depending on the outcome. The stakes are massive—if found guilty, City could face unprecedented sanctions, ranging from points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League. However, with a verdict not expected until early next year, the club’s leadership is determined to keep morale high and ensure the players stay focused on retaining their title.

For Pep Guardiola, who has led Manchester City to an era of unrivaled dominance in English football, the trial represents a potential distraction from the club’s footballing ambitions. Yet, according to Laporte, the message from the top has been clear: stay calm, stay focused, and trust the process.

With City continuing their march toward another Premier League title, fans will be hoping that the club’s confidence off the field translates into another successful defense in the courtroom. Could this legal showdown be a mere footnote in City’s glittering history, or is English football about to witness one of its most dramatic off-pitch battles yet? Only time will tell.