Pep Guardiola is expected to return to the Etihad Stadium next week when Manchester City host Paris St-Germain in the Champions League, marking his first appearance at the ground since leaving the club.
The former City manager ended his decade-long spell in charge at the conclusion of last season. His anticipated return comes at a turbulent moment for the club following an independent commission’s findings over breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Earlier this month, City were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them. The findings covered financial regulation breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The Premier League report concluded that City had falsely inflated commercial income by £830m through sponsorship agreements deemed not to reflect genuine commercial arrangements.
Manchester City continue to reject the allegations and have formally appealed the commission’s findings.
Guardiola, 55, publicly backed the club following the verdict, expressing support for City’s ownership, chairman, chief executive Ferran Soriano, current manager Enzo Maresca, the players, staff and supporters.
His presence for the PSG fixture would therefore carry added significance, with the Champions League match set to be City’s first home game since the commission’s ruling was announced.
Guardiola remains one of the most influential figures in the club’s history after spending 10 seasons in charge and overseeing the most successful period of City’s modern era.