Watch: Pep Guardiola returns to Man City for first time since guilty verdict

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COMMENTSManchester City have welcomed Pep Guardiola back to the Etihad Stadium as they stage their first home match since being found guilty of gross financial misconduct by the Premier League.

Guardiola stepped down from his post as the club’s manager this summer, calling time on a hugely decorated decade of football in which he won 20 major honours.

But a shadow has been cast over his reign since an independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges of financial misconduct and of obstructing the investigation brought against them. City maintain their innocence and have appealed the decision.

Pep Guardiola watches Man City vs PSG from the Etihad director’s boxGettyThe charges span much of Guardiola’s spell with the club, but he has thrown his support behind the club, saying in a statement after the verdict was released: “I want every single ManCity fan to know I am here; more than ever.

“I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.

“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

He kept a low profile on his return to the Etihad, though, sporting a flat cap as he took his seat in the director’s box to watch his former club face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

He was joined there by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano.

It has been reported that Guardiola, who continues to serve as a global ambassador for City, held talks with both men pre-match as they looked to put on a united front.

Guardiola was welcomed back with a pyrotechnic display and a fan mosaic in the stand which read CTID, or ‘City till I die.’

‘City Till I Die’: The Etihad stand sports a fan mosaicGettySince Guardiola left City, a stand at the Etihad has been named after him.