UEFA dropped a bombshell as it banned Manchester City from all European competitions for two years along with fining them €30m. City came back with a scathing reply on UEFA by saying ‘they were disappointed but not surprised’ and decided to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
As things stand, the fifth-placed Premier League side can get into the Champions League next season. Speculations are also ripe about Pep Guardiola’s future. His current contract expires in 2021, but the latest report from the Telegraph mentions that the manager will consider his future in the summer unless the punishment is overturned.
Guardiola’s comments from November
Even before the latest sanction, there were speculations about Guardiola’s future. However, the manager has insisted numerous times that he will stay for the next season. In November, Guardiola had said (The Guardian), “I want to stay, I don’t have any reasons to move. I am incredibly satisfied to work with this club, with these players, and if the people think I am going to resign for these results and being nine points behind [the leaders Liverpool], the people do not know me.”
“I like to have this challenge; I love to be in this position. If the club wants [me] next season, I want to be here 100%. I want to live in this city because I know lovely people here, and I want to work and live with them, and I want to be here.”
Obviously, the scenario has changed now, but City needs Guardiola more than ever for another year to see them through this turmoil. He talked about having a challenge and well he has a proper challenge on his hand now.
With UEFA Banning Manchester City From Champions League, What Should Guardiola Do?
If Guardiola decides to jump the ship in the summer because of a ban by UEFA, then it will certainly not go down well with the City faithful. It will undo all the legacy that he had built up at the club in the last few years. Even though Guardiola is yet to deliver a Champions League title since his arrival which was considered as his primary goal, he has been revered by City fans all around.
We believe that at worst, Guardiola should see out his contract even if they are not able to get this ban overturned. That means he should stay until 2021. Moreover, with Liverpool in an ascendency, Guardiola moving away from a challenge might be seen as a cowardly act by many.
Juventus in 2006 were in a worse scenario as they were relegated to the Serie B after winning the Serie A title when they were found guilty of match-fixing allegations. Quite a few players moved away, but some stars like Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Nedved, Mauro Camoranesi, Alessandro Del Piero and David Trezeguet stayed put which instantly made them legends of the club. Hence, Pep should take a leaf out of their book.
City will still get to compete in the Premier League and for the domestic trophies and Guardiola should honour his current contract at the very least. Now for what would actually happen in the future, your guess is as good as ours.
