• Manager insists financial charges inspired him to stay
• He claims most clubs want City relegated if found guilty

Pep Guardiola has said he “loves” fighting Manchester City’s corner against allegations of financial breaches and his belief in the club influenced the decision to sign a new two-year contract.

City’s most successful manager ended uncertainty over his future this week when extending his reign until 2027. The 53-year-old claimed the deal was agreed during a two-hour meeting with the City hierarchy, including the chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and outgoing director of football Txiki Begiristain, and he signed for two years to avoid another round of speculation over his future in 12 months’ time.