Pep set for first Etihad return since leaving Man City

Pep Guardiola is expected to return to the Etihad Stadium for the first time since leaving City when PSG visit in the Champions League tonight.

Guardiola ended his 10-year spell as City manager last summer and is set to watch Enzo Maresca’s side face the back-to-back European champions. The Times reports that Guardiola will sit in the directors’ box alongside chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chief executive Ferran Soriano and other senior figures.

Maresca welcomes Guardiola back to Man City

Maresca said Guardiola’s return would be “exciting for everyone” as his predecessor prepares to watch City at the Etihad for the first time since stepping down.

“It has been his house for 10 years,” Maresca said. “It is still his house for what he has done here.”

Guardiola is expected to arrive in Manchester this afternoon before returning to Barcelona after the game. It is unclear whether he will speak to the City players, although he could meet Maresca and PSG manager Luis Enrique.

The 55-year-old won 20 major trophies during his decade in charge, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Guardiola has remained publicly supportive of City since his departure and backed the club following the independent commission’s findings over breaches of Premier League financial rules. City deny wrongdoing and have appealed against the verdict. Maresca’s side host PSG at 8pm after opening their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Porto.

Our Man City v PSG guide has the TV channel and streaming details for tonight’s game.

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