‘75%’ of Premier League clubs want Manchester City relegated, says Guardiola

A hearing into the Premier League’s 115 charges against City has been ongoing for several weeks, with a verdict expected before the end of the season.

The club have strongly denied any financial wrongdoing but could face a severe points penalty if found guilty of some or all the charges.

Guardiola too has been happy to be the public face of that defence, with the Spaniard saying Friday: “I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why.

“I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March… I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. 75 per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff.

“I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here.

“Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.”