Pep Guardiola’s new contract with Manchester City will not be affected by the outcome of the club’s hearing into 115 charges for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.

City have been accused of financial wrongdoing over a nine-year period since 2009, and the most severe punishment if found guilty is relegation. Point deductions and fines are also potential penalties.

An independent hearing into the case formally began in September, but the verdict is not expected to be made public until spring 2025 at the earliest.

City continue to deny the allegations and Guardiola has repeatedly stated his confidence in the club’s hierarchy throughout the investigation into their finances.

Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Guardiola is set to extend by a year, with the option of a further year.

And, we can reveal that the new deal will not have a break clause should City be found guilty of the alleged charges and relegated.

Pep Guardiola’s new contract with Manchester City will not be affected by the outcome of the club’s hearing into 115 charges for allegedly breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.

If found guilty of the charges, City could be relegated from the Premier League

Guardiola’s new deal will not have a break clause should a worse result happen for City

It should be noted that Guardiola could still choose to step down from his role, but it is felt that his relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak – who was instrumental in agreeing a new contract – means that a written clause on the outcome of the charges is not necessary .

Guardiola has previously repeatedly insisted he would stay with City even if they were found guilty.

Speaking last year, he was asked if he would consider his position should City be punished. “Good question,” he replied. “I will answer when I have the sentence.

“You wonder as if we were punished.” And at this point we are innocent until proven guilty.

“I know people want it. I know, I feel it. I will wait. Wait and see and after the sentence is finished, we will come here and explain it.

“But I will absolutely not consider my future (if) it depends on me being here (Premier League) or being in League One. Absolute.

“There’s a better chance of staying if we’re in League 1 than if we’re in the Champions League.”

Guardiola’s position is a major boost for the club, with the lack of a break clause strongly suggesting he will be City manager until at least the end of next season regardless of the outcome of the case, which also helps with future squad planning.

Guardiola’s relationship with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak meant that a clause was not required

The Spaniard’s position is a major boost for City at an unsettling time for the club.

Meanwhile, Guardiola’s new contract means his sparkling reign at City will stretch to a decade and ensure the club won’t they simultaneously lose both their conquering boss and sporting director, Txiki Begiristain.

Mail Sport reported in the summer that Guardiola was expected to call time on his illustrious tenure at the helm at the end of this season, with a change of guard thought highly likely by those close to him.

Senior figures are understood to have tentatively discussed succession planning, while Guardiola was approached by the FA about the England job in July.

Guardiola’s friends were left with the impression that replacing Gareth Southgate was something he was seriously considering.

But the 53-year-old returned to pre-season training refreshed after making history by leading the team to four straight league titles.

And while he has continued to weigh up his decision – with sources claiming to be unsure of the outcome as recently as this month – talk of Guardiola’s future has changed dramatically in the opening months of the campaign.

The new deal indicates he is encouraged to oversee significant changes within the squad next summer.

Guardiola has repeatedly stated his confidence in the club’s hierarchy during the investigation

City are currently five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League after a poor run of form

There were also potential logistical complications of a new manager next summer to consider, given City’s involvement in the Club World Cup, which will end a few weeks before the 2025-26 season.

Former Newcastle United midfielder Hugo Viana takes over for Begiristain as City head into a new era, with the pair in close contact during a transition period.

Guardiola will remain steadfast, however, and the news of an extension should also send a message to a team that has lost four on the bounce in all competitions and dropped five points behind Liverpool in the title race.

City face Tottenham at the weekend before traveling to Anfield a week later – before meeting Aston Villa and rivals Manchester United next month – in a series of short games.