Arsenal learn Pep Guardiola relegation stance as Man City 115 charges case takes new 'twist'

Arsenal and their Premier League rivals have discovered that Pep Guardiola's fresh one-year contract extension with Manchester City has not got a relegation escape clause.

The Catalan inked a new deal with the Blues on Tuesday, keeping him in Manchester until 2026. There had been uncertainty around his future at City, with his previous contract due to expire next June amid the club's financial charges battle with the Premier League.

The hearing for the 100-plus financial allegations, which City robustly deny in full, was scheduled to wrap up this month. The commission panel will deliberate before delivering its judgement in early 2025, upon which both the Premier League and City might lodge an appeal.

If severe misconduct is established, City could be handed a points deduction and fines by the commission. It can also recommend relegation.

The Guardian indicates Guardiola's new deal does not include a relegation exit clause. The 53-year-old previously outlined that his commitment to City would not depend on which division they were playing in.

Speaking last year, the Catalan said: "Absolutely I will not consider my future if it depends on being here [Premier League] or being in League One. Absolutely. There is more chance to stay if we are in League One than if we were in the Champions League."

In September, upon the hearing for that case beginning, Guardiola accused Liverpool and other Premier League clubs of wanting to see City get punished over their 100-plus charges, before a verdict has been passed. "For the fact that all the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure," he said.

Arsenal have never publicly commented on City's charges - as a club. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said back in February that he saw no evidence of wrongdoing during his time as Guardiola's assistant between 2016 and 2018. The time period of the charges against City spans from 2009 and 2018.