Liverpool learn Pep Guardiola relegation stance in fresh Man City 115 charges 'twist'

Liverpool have learned that Pep Guardiola's one-year contract extension at Manchester City doesn't contain a relegation release clause. The Catalan coach penned a renewal with the Premier League champions on Tuesday, keeping him at the club until 2026.

Guardiola's previous contract was due to expire this summer, prompting ambiguity around his future amid City's legal battle with the Premier League. The hearing for the 100-plus charges of alleged financial wrongdoing, which City deny in full, was due to conclude this month.

The commission panel will now deliberate on a judgement before a verdict is announced in early 2025. From that point, both the Premier League and City have an opportunity to appeal.

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If found guilty of severe financial breaches, the commission could order City to be fined and deducted points. It can also recommend relegation.

A report from The Guardian says that there's no relegation break clause in Guardiola's contract, should the worst happen to City. The 53-year-old previously underlined he would not relinquish his commitment to the club based on which league they are playing in.

Speaking last year, the Catalan said: "Absolutely I will not consider my future if it depends on being here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."

In September, upon the hearing for that case beginning, Guardiola accused Liverpool and other Premier League clubs of wanting to see City get punished over their 100-plus charges, before a verdict has been passed. "For the fact that all the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure," he said.

Liverpool have never publicly commented on the case as a club. Back in May, former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said on the case: "No matter what has transpired at Man City, Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world, and that is truly significant.

"If you put any other manager in that club, they don't win the league four times in a row. That's down to him and his team.

"Does that mean they can do whatever they want? No. But I don't know what they did - if they did anything - and I'm not here to say they have.

"We will see. Of course, I would like to know (if City are guilty) one day. Everyone wants to know. But, then, I will be somewhere else."