Almost 18 months after an independent commission hearing into the case against Manchester City concluded, there is still no sign of an outcome.
Josep Guardiola will end his spell as Man City manager at the end of the season (Image: Getty Images)
Within minutes of news breaking that Josep Guardiola would be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season, social media was awash with references to the 115 charges the club has faced over three years.
Along with doctored photos and videos, rival supporters suggested Guardiola was about to jump before the verdict or punishment was announced.
It’s safe to say that his impending departure has nothing to do with the Premier League charges, given that Guardiola, like everyone else, must have had no idea how long it would take for a) a hearing to be held and b) for the results of the investigation to be announced. But Guardiola’s departure after 10 years at the Etihad will bring those charges back into focus.
First, it highlights how ridiculously long the delays are. Since the charges were laid in February 2023 and the 12-week trial ended in December 2024, City have spent more than £400m on new players. The club won two trophies.
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Since the accusations, City have won the Treble and Guardiola has won his sixth Premier League title. Since the accusations were made, City have signed 26 players.
A number of new contracts have been signed, including Erling Haaland, who has committed to the club until 2034. Apparently he wasn’t overly concerned about his impending legal ruin.
Probably not Enzo Maresca either. It is highly unlikely, in fact almost inconceivable, that Maresca would not want to know the club’s thoughts on the 115 charges when discussing Guardiola’s replacement. I don’t think he doesn’t want reassurance.
Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.)
The charges will then come back into focus when the case is finally handed down, with debate over how it will affect Guardiola’s legacy. The details of the argument will not be known until the actual judgment is handed down.
But will anyone really see the punishment involved in being stripped of the Premier League title after going through this extraordinarily long process? no.
And even if City face a financial penalty and/or point deductions, will that significantly tarnish Guardiola’s legacy? no.
The crime may have been committed by senior city officials. And even if those offenses were seen to have given City an advantage on the field, the overall feeling would still be that Guardiola’s genius was the main reason for this period’s remarkable success.
Marc Guech and Antoine Semenyo are the latest in a long line of players to sign for Manchester City since 115 charges were laid against them (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
