Pep Guardiola's new contract will NOT have a break clause if Man City are relegated - as hearing into 115 alleged financial rule-break charges continues
- Man City are facing 115 charges relating to alleged breaches of financial rules
- An independent hearing is underway, with a verdict to be made public next year
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Pep Guardiola's new Manchester City contract will not be affected by the outcome of the club's hearing into 115 charges for allegedly breaching the Premier League's financial rules.
City have been accused of financial impropriety spanning nine years from 2009 and the sternest punishment if found guilty is relegation. Points deductions and fines are also potential penalties.
An independent hearing into the case officially began in September, but the verdict is not expected to be made public until spring 2025 at the earliest.
City continue to deny the allegations and Guardiola has repeatedly declared his trust in the club’s hierarchy throughout the investigation into their finances.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Guardiola is set to pen a one-year extension with the option of a further year.
And, we can reveal that the new deal will not have a break clause in case City are found guilty of the alleged charges and relegated.
Pep Guardiola's new Manchester City contract will not be affected by the outcome of the club's hearing into 115 charges for allegedly breaching the Premier League's financial rules
If found guilty of the charges, City could face relegation from the Premier League
Guardiola's new deal will not have a break clause in case the worse outcome happens for City
It must be noted that Guardiola could still choose to resign from his role, but it is felt his relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak - who was key in him penning a fresh contract - means that a clause in writing in regards to the outcome of the charges is not necessary.
Guardiola has previously repeatedly insisted he would stick with City even if they were found guilty.
Speaking last year, he was questioned over whether he would consider his position should City be punished. 'A good question,' he replied. 'I will answer when I have the sentence.
'You are questioning like we have been punished. And in the moment we are innocent until guilt is proved.
'I know the people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see it and after the sentence has been done we will come here and explain it.
'But absolutely I will not consider my future [if] it depends on being here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolutely.
'There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League.'
Guardiola's stance is a major boost for the club, with the lack of break clause giving a strong suggestion he will be City's manager until at least the end of next season no matter the outcome of the case, something which also helps with future squad planning.
Guardiola's relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak meant a clause was not needed
The stance of the Spaniard is a major boost to City in what is an unsettling time for the club
Meanwhile, Guardiola's new contract means his glittering reign at City will stretch to a decade and ensures that the club won't simultaneously lose both their all-conquering boss and sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.
Mail Sport reported in the summer that Guardiola was expected to call time on his illustrious spell in charge at the end of this season, with a changing of the guard deemed highly likely by those close to him.
It’s understood that senior figures had been tentatively discussing succession planning, while Guardiola received contact from the FA about the England job in July.
Friends of Guardiola had been left with the impression that the possibility of replacing Gareth Southgate was something he was seriously considering.
But the 53-year-old returned to pre-season training refreshed after completing history by managing the team to four consecutive league titles.
And although he continued to weigh up his decision - with sources claiming they were unsure of the outcome as recently as this month - the talk around Guardiola’s future had dramatically altered during the early months of the campaign.
The new deal indicates that he is invigorated to oversee significant change within the squad next summer.
Guardiola has repeatedly declared his trust in the club’s hierarchy during the investigation
City are currently five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League after a poor run of form
There were also potential logistical complications surrounding a new manager next summer to factor in, given City's involvement in the revamped Club World Cup, which is due to finish a matter of weeks before the 2025-26 season.
Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana is taking over from Begiristain as City head into a new era, with the pair in close contact during a transitional handover period.
Guardiola will remain the constant through that though and news of an extension should also send a message to a side who have lost four on the bounce in all competitions and slipped five points behind Liverpool in the title race.
City face Tottenham at the weekend before travelling to Anfield a week later - before meeting Aston Villa and rivals Manchester United next month - in a crunch run of fixtures.
