Man City Found Guilty: How Premier League Managers Reacted

The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break, and since the top flight's last match, a major shock has rippled around the world as Manchester City were found guilty.

An independent panel concluded the club was guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.

Man City continue to maintain their innocence and have appealed. If the ruling stands, however, sanctions could include a points deduction, a fine, a transfer ban and even relegation.

Man City manager Enzo Maresca said he believes the club will win its appeal, and that no titles won since the charges first emerged are affected.

Al Jazeera Sport has rounded up the reaction from a number of managers speaking publicly for the first time since the verdict, starting with the club Man City face next when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday.

Liverpool manager – Andoni Iraola

“I think the uncertainty is not good for anyone, and for anyone involved, but the process is still ongoing, and we have to be patient like everybody else and wait to see what happens in the end,” Iraola said.

Manchester United manager – Michael Carrick

“I have my own questions on the matter; it has affected me personally in different ways for a long time,” said the former United midfielder, who finished runner-up to Man City both as a player and as an assistant manager since the club was taken over by Abu Dhabi in 2008.

“What I would say is that resolving it as soon as possible, for the benefit of everyone, is essential.

“There are so many angles to look at it from, from many different perspectives, but speed is essential so that everyone has clarity, can deal with it and move forward whatever happens.

“This is an unprecedented, unique situation, at this level and with huge ramifications in many ways.”

Arsenal manager – Mikel Arteta

“It is very important that we respect the process and the timescale; this is still an ongoing process because it has been appealed,” said the Spaniard, who was an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Man City from 2015 to 2019.

“My view, and I think the club’s, is not to make any comment until the appeal is fully resolved.

“What is in our hands is how we prepare after the international break to help the club win.”

Everton manager – David Moyes

“It was terrible when Everton were deducted points and had to pay a fine, and that was not too long ago, yet there are other issues that have dragged on for more than 10 years without being dealt with, which I find really hard to understand,” Moyes said, referring to the sanctions Everton faced, including a 10-point deduction. Their charges related to breaches of financial sustainability rules between 2019 and 2022.

“I hope it is not just Everton who are targeted. Manchester City have helped raise the level of the Premier League with their style of play, their manager and the players they have.

“We all had to park the bus defensively, because they were so good and people would often say: ‘Why not attack?’ – that was difficult.

“But they are such a good team, and it was a great time to come up against Pep’s sides because they had so many good players.”

Chelsea manager – Xavi Alonso

“We need to be patient and wait for the final sanctions from the panel; they are independent enough to assess the situation,” Alonso said.

“Whatever I say or whatever view I hold, they are the ones who make the decision, and we need to respect that.

“This is not in our hands; let’s wait and see what happens, and then we need to respect it.”