Manchester City faces a massive fine for breaching financial regulations. Many rivals are keeping a low profile. Now, however, a long-standing rival has spoken out very clearly.
Mauricio Pochettino, the long-serving Premier League manager and current US national team coach, has reacted with outrage to the Manchester City case and the possible sanctions facing the ten-time English champions.
“Where were the checks? That’s what concerns me most,” said the 54-year-old at his press conference ahead of the USA’s international match against Chile in the early hours of Wednesday (2 am). “We have lived through a period in which there was no sporting justice. How can we repair all the damage that has been caused? If it is true that 114 rules were breached, then we have lived through a period of deception. No punishment, however severe, can make up for what has happened.”
The Argentine Pochettino managed Man City’s rivals Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019 and took charge of Chelsea FC for one season in 2023 – having previously managed Southampton FC for the 2013/14 season. During his time in England, he led Spurs into the top three of the Premier League twice and also guided them to the Champions League final in 2019 (0–2 against Liverpool), even though his club’s transfer budget was severely limited compared to Manchester City’s.
” “I remember that we were building the new stadium and for 18 months we didn’t have the financial means to make a transfer,” said Pochettino. He put this down to Tottenham adhering to the Premier League’s rules. “They were so strict with us and so lenient with others. That’s why I say: it’s all very strange.”
Pochettino is “deeply saddened”
The Premier League had already brought charges against Manchester City in 2023 for breaches of the financial regulations of the world’s top and financially strongest league. According to consistent reports in the British media, Pep Guardiola’s former club was found guilty last week in 114 out of 115 cases. However, the penalty has not yet been determined. Manchester City can appeal the decision and denies all allegations.
Specifically, the case concerns alleged offences dating from 2009 to 2018, during which the club is said to have, amongst other things, provided false information about its finances and artificially inflated sponsorship revenues in order to circumvent the league’s regulations. During this period, the Sky Blues won three league titles, one FA Cup and three League Cup titles. Pochettino is, alongside Roberto Mancini, one of the few individuals from that era who has spoken out so strongly against Manchester City.
The Argentine described the whole situation as “deeply saddening”. “In the end, you find yourself in a situation where everything that was celebrated wasn’t real at all. What seemed good might not have been so good after all. And what didn’t look good might actually have been good.”
