---
title: "Man City: Pep Guardiola potentially leaving is club’s ‘biggest problem’"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/pep-guardiola-future-premier-league-charges-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Manchester City News"
published: "2023-02-14T18:10:18Z"
modified: "2023-02-14T18:10:18Z"
---

# Man City: Pep Guardiola potentially leaving is club’s ‘biggest problem’

**[Manchester City](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/) manager [Pep Guardiola](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/pep-guardiola/) potentially leaving is the ‘biggest problem’ the club face in the wake of the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) charges, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.**

### The Lowdown: Charges brought forward

Man City were [charged](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/manchester-city-financial-fair-play-update-news-latest/) earlier this month for allegedly breaking the Premier League’s financial rules, after being the subject of a four-year investigation from the league’s governing body.

Guardiola has repeatedly [defended](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/manchester-city-engman_city/story/4874135/pep-guardiola-defends-man-city-amid-premier-league-charges-we-are-innocent) the club after the alleged wrongdoings were brought to light, while he also quashed any talk of him leaving the club, [saying](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1624044979462066177?s=20&t=4Vr6WcBNF5HJyrHcpW4xNQ): *“I am not moving from this seat, I want to stay. More than ever, I’m sure.”*

### The Latest: McAvennie still worried

Despite the City boss appearing to commit his future to the Sky Blues, McAvennie is not so sure he will stay if the charges are as severe as they seem, telling [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/pep-guardiola-could-spark-man-city-exodus-amid-big-new-claim-pundit/): “*The biggest problem they have got is Pep himself.*

“*He told them that if they lie to him he is leaving. If he goes then everyone will go. There is not one player in the Man City team that will stay if they get relegated.*

“*They say it is not going to happen but look at Rangers. I would hate to see that happen at Man City. Some of those players deserve to stay there. Pep will be the first to go. I just fear for Man City at the moment.*“

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410621″\]

### The Verdict: Worrying times

It is a worrying time to be a Man City fan, as there is so much on the line depending on the outcome of their upcoming legal battle, with the club [set](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-city-news/man-city-premier-league-ffp-charges-news/) to robustly defend themselves from the charges.

The Spaniard has led the club through an unprecedented period of success, winning [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pep-guardiola/erfolge/trainer/5672) out of the last five Premier League titles, as well as four EFL Cups, so to lose him would be a massive blow.

McAvennie poses the idea of players leaving if the Sky Blues are relegated from the top flight, and while that could prove to be a long-term issue, a more pressing matter is that they will find it hard to compete for top players this summer, given the uncertainty surrounding the club.