Manchester City have been charged by the Premier League after a statement on Monday alleged several financial breaches from the reigning champions. This comes as a result of an investigation into the club spanning four years, which will now be referred to an independent Commission.
A Premier League statement reads: "In accordance with Premier League Rule W.82.1, the Premier League confirms that it has today referred a number of alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules by Manchester City Football Club (Club) to a Commission under Premier League Rule W.3.4."
With City potentially facing a heavy punishment it could lead to the exit of Pep Guardiola. The odds are in favour of the Manchester City manager departing from the club, which could be a boost for Arsenal seeing as though both sides are currently challenging for the Premier League title.
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Mauricio Pochettino is the 7/2 favourite to be the next Man City manager if Pep Guardiola leaves amid the club being charged with numerous financial rule breaches. Julian Nagelsmann and Zinedine Zidane follow behind at 5/1, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Thomas Tuchel both 15/2. Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is a 25/1 outsider to replace Guardiola at the Etihad via Betfair.
Guardiola’s odds to be the next Premier League boss to leave their role to continue to shorten with the Spaniard now the 5/1 second-favourite to be the latest top-flight managerial casualty of the season, having been 11/2 on Monday.
It is currently unclear how long it will take for an outcome to be reached, although City manager Pep Guardiola has previously admitted that he would leave the club if any financial wrongdoings were proven.
The Citizens were initially handed a Champions League ban back in February 2020 after UEFA's club financial control body found them guilty of a "serious breach" of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, but on appeal that was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“I am the spokesman for this club and every few days I’m here [in a press conference]. Every single word I said in all my press conferences, even if people don’t believe me, is because I truly, truly believe it. Why did I defend the club and the people? It’s because I work with them," said Guardiola back in May 2022.
“When they are accused of something I ask them ‘tell me about that’, they explain and I believe them. I said to them ‘if you lie to me, the day after I am not here’. I will be out and I will not be your friend anymore."
If Guardiola was to depart before the end of the season then Arteta could have a major advantage in achieving Arsenal's first Premier League title in 19 years. Guardiola has been crucial to Manchester City'a recent success and without him at the helm, the level of disruption would certainly hinder City.
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