Jack Grealish reacts as Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Man City verdict

Pep Guardiola has spoken out for the first time since Manchester City were found guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.

The Spaniard, who left after 10 years in charge this summer, expressed his support for the club, its leadership, owners and fans on social media.

The Citizens were found by an independent commission to have inflated revenue by more than £900million over a nine-year period and failed to co-operate with the Premier League's investigation.

Man City insist their innocence and will appeal the verdict, which comes nearly two years after the hearing into the charges came to an end.

Should they prove unsuccessful in their legal avenues, the club will be vulnerable to several potential sanctions, including points deductions, the stripping of titles and even expulsion from the Premier League.

Man City have until Friday to officially launch their appeal, which could well be followed by a High Court case.

Pep Guardiola speaks out on Man City charges as Jack Grealish reacts

Should Man City's guilty verdict stand, then it would undoubtedly stain all of Guardiola's achievements in English football.

Most of the the charges relate to the period before the Spaniard arrived at the Etihad Stadium, but there is a two-year overlap.

More importantly, Man City's guilt would mean that the very platform the former Barcelona manager built his team and success off was gained unfairly and illegally.

Guardiola won 20 trophies in a glittering 10-year tenure that included the treble and a historic 100-point Premier League season.

But if Man City cheated their way to those positions, those achievements would gain a permanent asterix, even if they are not stripped away.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Guardiola wrote: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.

"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."

Man City loanee Jack Grealish, who is set to leave the club at the end of the season, liked the post.

What did Guardiola say about the charges?

Guardiola insisted Man City are innocent right until the final days of his time in charge.

The Spaniard was shown heavy trust and backing during his time at the Etihad Stadium, and would have no reason to stab his former employers in the back.

"I trust them. I spoke with them and trust how they behave and how they did. What happened, happened," he said in May.

Guardiola has provided his backing once more, but it will not be him forced to pick up the pieces if Man City suffer severely.