As a result, what occurred? The reigning Premier League champions are facing 115 allegations concerning potential mismanagement of financial fair play. Additionally, Everton and Nottingham Forest, both strong competitors in the Premier League, have had points deducted for breaching the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
EFL chairman MacAnthony, who oversees Peterborough in League One, doubts that significant action will be taken, referencing the 2006 Calciopoli scandal where Juventus lost a trophy. He told talkSPORT, “I don’t know what rules apply to these allegations. I’m unfamiliar with the penalties and any precedents. Are two points deducted for each charge? It all seems nonsensical to me, though the media will likely sensationalize it with headlines like ‘relegation,’ ‘banned,’ and ‘past league titles reinstated.’ While such things happened in Italy, I don’t believe you can change the past, and I’m not in favor of that.”
In sports, everyone attempts to manipulate the system. Speaking for the EFL, I’m not accusing Man City of this. Teams try to navigate around regulations, pay caps, and other restrictions to build the best squad possible. While I’m not suggesting anyone is breaking the law, rule-bending is common, and the Premier League is no exception. Man City, due to their prominence and achievements over the past decade, is particularly vulnerable to media scrutiny. Therefore, I recommend waiting to see how things unfold.
As the Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation unfolds, there are growing questions about Pep Guardiola’s future with City. MacAnthony weighed in, noting that Guardiola is approaching the final year of his contract. He remarked, “I can’t speak for Pep, but I believe he’s been at City for around six or eight years, which is quite a long stint for him.” MacAnthony suggested that Guardiola might follow a path similar to Jürgen Klopp’s, where after achieving a series of consecutive victories, he might decide, “You know what? I need to take a year off.”
“This is a demanding role, and I respect what Jürgen Klopp has accomplished,” MacAnthony said. Being an owner or manager is already tough, and the relentless pressure of the past four years, especially since Covid, has been intense. The physical and mental strain on these individuals is considerable. I can only guess how Pep’s body and mind are holding up, and he might need a break. If I were in charge at Man City, my advice would be, “Pep, take a year off. We’ll have your assistant manage the team for a year, and you can return refreshed.” I would have taken similar action with Jürgen Klopp.
Looking ahead, with their four consecutive Premier League titles, City has significantly altered football history. They are set to play preseason friendlies against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea in the United States before starting their title defense on August 18 at Stamford Bridge.
