Pep Guardiola's involvement in Man City 'illegal money payments' explained by Haaland ally

Pep Guardiola was unaware of the financial loopholes Manchester City were working through during his time at the club.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 55-year-old left the Etihad Stadium in the summer after 10 years in charge, and it has been suggested that he knew what was coming.

Man City have been found guilty of 114 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules after a verdict was finally delivered for the case that was heard by an independent commission nearly two years ago.

The breaches are said to have taken place between 2009 and 2018 and saw the Citizens inflate their revenue by more than £900million through 'sham' contracts and payments.

Man City continue to claim their innocence and Guardiola did the same during his time in charge, reiterating his belief that the club had done nothing wrong in the final days of his tenure.

'Nothing has ever been mentioned with Pep Guardiola'

Former Man City manager Roberto Mancini faced questions following the emergence of the verdict last week.

The Italian, who was in charge between 2009 and 2013, allegedly was given a double-contract which saw his base salary multiplied for advising a club in Abu Dhabi.

Mancini has denied any involvement, although the case raises similar questions regarding every Man City manager since.

Speaking to Football Insider, legendary Norwegian scout King, who is close to the family of star striker Erling Haaland, asked: "Where was Pep Guardiola's money involvement in Barcelona and Bayern Munich?

"They won the Championship in Germany and the Championship in Spain, as well as the Champions League in Spain.

"Was he influential in illegal money payments at those two clubs? Nothing's ever been mentioned and I don't suppose it will be mentioned because he wasn't involved in it.

"He knows as a manager, a top manager, that if you're going to bring players to your football club, top, top players have got to join a club with top, top players. 

"And the one thing that it costs to build a club like that is an awful lot of money."

Pep Guardiola questioned on Roberto Mancini payments

News of Mancini's alleged double-contract emerged in 2018, two years into Guardiola's reign at Man City.

The Spaniard was asked if he had received similar types of payments during his time at the Etihad Stadium and responded angrily as the press officer attempted to move on.

"Do you know the question you are asking to me? Do you know the question you are asking me, if I received money from another situation right now, today? Honestly," he said.

"Do you think I deserve to have to answer this type of question. What happened to Roberto (Mancini) I don’t know. The day I win the treble and you’re asking about if I received money from another situations?

"Are you accusing me? Are you accusing me, if I received money from other situations?”