MANCHESTER CITY are confident Pep Guardiola will still be in charge next season despite the club’s Champions League ban, reports have claimed.
City are determined to find the best lawyers to fight the charge handed down by Uefa for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
If unsuccessful, they will be out of Europe for two years. But The Mirror claim Guardiola has indicated that he will honour the remaining 12 months of his contract.
City are taking their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but Uefa want to fast-track the ban so that it kicks in from next season.
However, Guardiola’s “first instinct” after the ban was issued was to show loyalty to the club at which he has spent four seasons.
Whether Guardiola honours that promise remains to be seen, especially after Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero claimed it is his destiny to boss the Italian club.
Del Piero said: “In Italy there are already rumours saying that the coach and many players will leave the club. The whole of football thinks they can steal something from Manchester.
Last summer there was a lot of talk that he was coming to Juventus and that is still happening.
Speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards in Berlin, Del Piero added: Every club in the world would love him as a coach and I would love to see Pep in Italy.
He has won in Spain, Germany and England. If we follow that path I think maybe it is his destiny to go to Juve.
Former Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit believes the Manchester City manager WILL be on the move this summer.
The Dutch legend, who was part of the AC Milan team that dominated the early 90s, said: I feel for Manchester City, for the fans, the players, the coaches, everything. It is horrible.
But I know Pep and know he is anxious to win the Champions League again. I think he will be minded to go to Juventus because we all know they are desperate for him to go there.
Whether its the right thing is another question but he wants to play in the Champions League and thats where Pep belongs.
SunSport columnist Alan Shearer says failing to overturn the ban could set City back years – and break up their brilliant squad.
One of those players most at risk of leaving is Raheem Sterling, who is the target of a 180million bid from Real Madrid.
