Guardiola ManCity

Man City UEFA ban: Guardiola might leave

Former Manchester City captain Richard Dunne fears it could be tough to keep Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium following the club's two-season ban from UEFA competitions.

European football's governing body announced on Friday that City would be banned from taking part in the Champions League and Europa League in 2020-21 and 2021-22 due to "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations between 2012-2016.

City swiftly confirmed their intention to appeal the verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), stating they were "disappointed but not surprised" by UEFA's verdict, which also included a £30million fine.

Pep Guardiola joined City in 2016 and has led the club to five of the past six domestic trophies on offer in English football.

Despite falling well adrift of Liverpool in this season's Premier League title race, the 49-year-old has spoken frequently of being open to remaining in Manchester, even beyond the end of his current contract in June 2021.

However, centre-back Dunne feels being denied the pursuit of a trophy Guardiola last won at Barcelona in 2011 would change the landscape."Wherever he's gone, he's always been there to be a winner. That's what he'll want to remain," he told Omnisport.

"He wants to go and win trophies and if City are in a situation where they can no longer compete, because they're selling players and can't attract the top players because there's no Champions League football, it will be difficult.

"I think the club has been organised really well – the whole club, not just the first team. They have a structure in place where they will survive and try and rebuild again.

"But to lose someone like Pep Guardiola would be a huge blow. He's what they've worked towards, to try and get him to come in as manager, and he's been successful.

"You listen to players talk about why they sign for teams and Pep is a huge attraction for any player."

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