Pep Guardiola defiantly claimed his Manchester City legacy would not be tarnished by allegations of financial wrong-doing by the Premier League champions.
But just hours after dismissing what he describes as attempts to discredit City, the club received notice of a fresh investigation by the Premier League, adding to probes from FIFA and UEFA.
City have been the subject of allegations regarding breaches of rules regarding Financial Fair Play, third party ownership and the transfer of underage players.
The club deny the claims – and on Friday, Guardiola pleaded for a swift resolution, while also backing City’s hierarchy.
But the allegations – which were brought to light by German outlet Der Spiegel and based on leaked documents and emails obtained by the whistle-blower Football Leaks – cast a shadow over Guardiola’s work at the Etihad.
At a time when the Catalan is still in pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, he is adamant his achievements on the pitch will not be undermined.
“When you are fighting, people want to underestimate what you achieve,” he said. “I’m not too much concerned or worried about what people say.
“If we win the title just because what happens now with UEFA (and) they do not give us credit for what we have done, believe me I… don’t… care! Absolutely zero.
“I know exactly what the guys are doing for the last two seasons and more and that is what remains my feelings.
“If we have made mistakes we will be punished. It is what it is on and off the pitch - but I’m pretty sure what we have done is incredible. Incredible.
“I don’t know whether it is important for the rest of the people, but it is important for ourselves.
“When we did it (win) it belongs to us and nobody is going to change that.”
City were rocked by a series of articles by Der Spiegel, which claimed they had inflated sponsorship deals to avoid FFP penalties.
Among the more severe punishments City could face are Champions League and transfer bans.
But Guardiola has previously received assurances from the club’s hierarchy that they have not acted improperly and on Thursday City issued a robust statement, saying: “The accusation of financial irregularities are entirely false. The Club’s published accounts are full and complete and a matter of legal and regulatory record.”
Guardiola added: “They know how people press, push to find something wrong. I work with them and have known them for a long, long time. I trust them a lot.
“After that, we’ll see. What I wish is clarification as quickly as possible, for UEFA to see what we have done.
“If it is not good then okay, we will accept it. If everything is right then it will finish and we move forward.
“My position depends on if I lose games. Then I can be in trouble. But if we win we are safe.
“I’m involved with my team. I’m part of the club and back them 100 percent.”
