Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claps back on ‘money’ buying titles allegations

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has clapped back atthose attempting to undermine his team's success. Guardiola is chasing a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title - a featthat has neverbeenachievedin English football.

Speaking ahead of the potentialtitle-decideragainst Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday (May 14), Guardiola said if success came only from money spent,the likes ofManchester United and Chelseawillbe in their position.

“Beforeit was the money. For that reason, Manchester United should have won all the titles, Chelsea - all the titles, Arsenal - all the titles. Theyspendas much money in the last five years as us. They should be there. They are not there," said Guardiola at the pre-match press conference.

“For thatreasonGirona shouldn’t be in the Champions League [next season]andLeicester should win the Premier League," he added.

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Man City's 115 breaches

While Guardiola has reached new milestones with the City team, his success has come with a little asterisk next to it. The Manchester-based club is facing 115 charges related to breachof PremierLeagueregulations.

The clubis accusedof providing inaccurate financial information between 2009 to 2018. It also failed to provide accurate details for player and manager payments from 2009 to 2018. Additionally, itfailedto comply with UEFA's ruling, including Financial Fair Play (FFP) between 2013-14and2017-18.

Between 2015 to 2018, the club hasbeen chargedwith sevenbreachesof Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Whilethe likes ofEverton and Nottingham Forest have been punished this season for breachingPSR,City are yet to face any action.

'It is hard'

While the legal cases remain pending against City, the team sits at the cusp of history. Guardiola admitted that his players knew what they were playing for, having reached socloseto the ultimate prize.

“Inthe beginning of theseasonwe didn’t think about it. But then we were in February, March and April, we were still there. Afterthatit ignites something in all our heads," said the Spanish manager.

Guardiola cited examples of previous dynasties in the Premier League and Division One that failed to four-peat the title.

“No team has done it. That shows how hard it is. Liverpool in the '80s, Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in the '90s. Chelsea with [Roman] Abramovich and Jose [Mourinho], Arsenal with [Arsene] Wenger didn’t do it.”

A win against Spurs would propel City to the top of the points table, heading into the final matchday on Sunday (May 19). However, a loss or a draw would hand the advantage to Arsenal who are chasing their first title in nearly two decades.

(With inputs from agencies)