Man City are preparing for life 'after Pep Guardiola' - Stefan Borson

Manchester City’s stance on the Premier League’s associated party transactions (APT) rules is surprising given their success over the past few years. 

That is the view of former Man City financial advisor Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the English champions are likely looking beyond Pep Guardiola’s time at the club and approaching the matter in a more rounded way. 

The Premier League are currently locked in a legal battle with Man City over the APT rules, with the club claiming the regulations are “unlawful”. 

If the rules weren’t in place, clubs could agree sponsorship deals as high as they wanted with no challenge, increasing the amount they could spend under the PSR rules. 

Man City claimed the Premier League trophy for a record-breaking fourth successive year last season as they just pipped Arsenal to the title. 

Man City stance surprising in APT case against Premier League

Borson suggested clubs at the top would usually want to ensure regulation remains in place to prevent other sides from challenging their dominance.

He told Football Insider: “When you are established at the top, you generally want to build as big of a moat as possible to prevent other clubs being able to challenge. 

“I guess in that context it’s slightly surprising that City are one of the clubs arguing very strongly for a lack of regulation despite being at the top of the table. 

“But I suspect they are looking into the future beyond Pep Guardiola and thinking in a more rounded way around that. 

“It’s acceptable for all of the clubs to sit around the table and position themselves selfishly. 

“It’s for the governance of the league to moderate that and come up with a set of rules that are fair.” 

In other news, Jack Grealish could quit Man City after savage blow

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