EFL chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who manages League One team Peterborough, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of significant repercussions for Manchester City, comparing it to Juventus’ situation during the Calciopoli scandal in 2006, where they were stripped of a title. Speaking to TalkSPORT, MacAnthony admitted to not knowing the specific penalties for such charges or any historical precedents.
He speculated that two points per charge might be a suitable penalty but criticized media headlines suggesting more severe consequences like relegation or past titles being revoked, calling these ideas “ridiculous.” He emphasized that, despite any accusations, altering past outcomes seems unreasonable and is not something he supports.
MacAnthony discussed the broader context of football, noting that clubs often seek to navigate around rules and restrictions to gain advantages, although he clarified that he was not accusing Manchester City or any other clubs of breaking laws.
He acknowledged that such rule-bending behavior is not unique to any single league, including the Premier League, and suggested waiting to see the final outcome before drawing conclusions.
He remarked that Manchester City, given their prominence and success over the past decade, are easy targets for media scrutiny.
Regarding Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City, MacAnthony mentioned that with the coach in the final year of his contract, there are questions about whether he will continue.
He likened Guardiola’s situation to that of Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, who might consider taking a break after an intense period of success. MacAnthony noted the relentless nature of football management, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted the mental and physical toll it takes on those involved.
He suggested that it might be beneficial for Guardiola to take a sabbatical for his well-being, proposing that Manchester City could have an assistant manager step in temporarily.
He also expressed a similar sentiment for Klopp, suggesting that clubs should consider allowing managers to take breaks to avoid burnout and maintain their health.
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