What every Premier League manager said about the Man City verdict

Manchester City's guilty verdict on 114 financial breaches became the central talking point across the Premier League as club football prepared to return. The independent commission, appointed after a lengthy investigation into charges spanning 2009 to 2018, concluded that the current league leaders arranged sham contracts for several commercial partners to disguise funding worth more than £900m.

City, who strongly protest their innocence and have already launched an appeal, head to Anfield on Sunday for a match expected to be played in a hostile atmosphere. Liverpool are among the sides that have repeatedly missed out on silverware due to City's dominance in recent seasons, adding extra edge to an already heated rivalry.

Before the first round of Premier League fixtures since the news broke, managers from across the country were asked for their views. These are the key responses.

Pep Guardiola defends Manchester City after the verdict

The Catalan coach doubled down on his trust in the organisation, insisting it was a key reason he accepted the job in the first place. Guardiola stated there is no other club in the world where he would rather be and that he remains very happy and proud to lead the team, a position he has held since day one.

Asked whether he would still have joined City had the commission already ruled against them, he answered with a clear and immediate yes. The manager said he has known the organisation for years, understands how serious it is and believes it does things the right way. For that reason, he preferred to keep any further discussion about the case until the appeal succeeds.

Guardiola also dismissed the idea that the case was discussed during negotiations over his arrival. The club considered the matter no problem at the time and, according to the manager, they think in an honest way and remain convinced they will win the appeal.

Mikel Arteta calls for respect for the ongoing process

The Arsenal boss opted for caution and confirmed that his own position, as well as the club's, is to avoid further comment until the matter is fully resolved. Arteta pointed out that the decision has been appealed and therefore the process remains open, making much of the surrounding noise premature.

For the Gunners manager, the only thing within his control is preparing his players as well as possible and focusing all energy on sporting matters. When asked whether the verdict could inspire the league leaders in their title push, Arteta repeated that it is outside his hands and that his sole focus is on beating Leeds in their next match.

Arne Slot on Liverpool facing Man City at Anfield

The Liverpool head coach spoke about the need for patience because the process is ongoing and no one knows what will happen in the end. Slot admitted that uncertainty is not good for anyone involved but said the only option is to wait and see how the situation develops.

His priority is making Liverpool the best team they can be, and he downplayed any possible distraction for City's players. In his view, the level of the match is so demanding that footballers will be thinking about their marking assignments, their defensive duties and the intensity required for such a high-level game.

David Moyes and Everton's frustrations over points deduction

David Moyes offered one of the most critical perspectives, particularly through the lens of Everton's recent experiences. The manager recalled that his club suffered a points deduction and fines not long ago, which makes it difficult to accept when other matters stretching back nearly a decade still await resolution.

The Scottish coach hopes Everton are not being singled out, as he feels the club has also been targeted in other areas such as refereeing decisions. Despite this, he acknowledged that Manchester City have helped raise the level of the Premier League and forced many opponents to defend deep due to the quality of their players and coaches.

The common response: speed and trust in the authorities

A recurring theme among managers was the call for a swift conclusion. Eddie Howe of Newcastle described the situation as unprecedented and argued that speed is essential for everyone to gain clarity, deal with the outcome and move on. The manager admitted he has his own questions and that the case has affected him personally in different ways over the years.

Unai Emery, meanwhile, asked for patience and respect for the independence of the panel. The Aston Villa boss said he is not an expert and that the relevant people will make the final decision, while his team focuses entirely on what they can control.

Could Man City lose their Premier League titles?

The possible stripping of titles won during those years was another major talking point. Sean Dyche of Sunderland stressed the importance of respecting football's rules both on and off the pitch, adding that relevant authorities must be relentless to preserve the value of fair competition.

Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham took a more measured stance, saying it is not his job to judge a case that falls outside his responsibilities. The Australian coach explained that competent authorities are handling the matter and the right approach for his club is to focus on what they can influence.

I trust the people and this is also the reason why I joined the club. There is not another club in the world where I would like to be. I'm very happy to be here and very proud.

Frequently asked questions about the Man City verdict