Pep Guardiola has released his first statement since Manchester City were found guilty of over 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules, saying "I am behind my club."
Guardiola released a picture of himself alongside City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and a full statement on Wednesday which read: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.
"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
Guardiola left City in the summer after more than a decade in their dugout, having won 20 trophies. He was replaced by Enzo Maresca who has started strongly, with City currently topping the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola won 20 trophies with Manchester City. Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images The club were hit with guilty verdicts from an independent commission relating to their "serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules" on Friday. They intend to appeal before the deadline on Friday Oct. 2.
Jamie Carragher has called for City to be stripped of the titles won under Guardiola's management during the period that relates to the guilty verdicts.
Supporters' group The Citizens Trust had earlier issued a statement which read: "The Citizens Trust has read both the Premier League's statement on the verdict which finds Manchester City guilty of the majority of the charges, and the club's statement in rebuttal that reiterates their innocence and intent to appeal.
"We are still digesting the full findings of the independent commission, released by the PL in redcated format, and we encourage Blues to do the same.
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"Within an hour of the verdict dropping, we had an emergency meeting with the Football Supporters' Association to assist us as we begin to consider our next steps and what this means for the Trust, the City fanbase and our club going forwar as we await fnal outcomes of any sanctions and appeal.
"We will also be engaging with our members and the winder fanbase as soon as possible. This means consulting the membership, gauging opinion and holding an accessible meeting in Manchester city centre in the near future.