Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola playfully suggested he would reimburse fans after learning they plan to unveil a new banner urging him to remain at the club.
The 1894 Group, responsible for organizing flag and banner displays at Etihad Stadium, raised over £1,000 in just 24 hours to create the banner.
It is set to be showcased in the South Stand on Saturday when Fulham visits at 15:00 BST, and it will read “Pep Guardiola, we want you to stay” in his native Catalan.
“They have to bring me the bill, I have to pay for the banner,” Guardiola said.
“What can I say? Thank you so much, I fell in love since the first day I arrived here, lets see.”
Guardiola took the reins at Manchester City in July 2016 and his contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign, with no indication as to whether he will sign an extension.
The Spaniard has led City to 18 trophies, including six Premier League titles and a first Champions League title in 2022-23.
They are currently second in the Premier League, one point behind leaders Liverpool, after drawing the past two matches.
In July, Guardiola said he wanted to wait until the season was under way to “look at how everything is going and how connected we are” before making a decision on his future.
“When it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Guardiola said at a news conference on Friday.
Manchester City is currently facing 115 charges for alleged violations of the Premier League’s financial regulations.
The hearing, referred to as sport’s ‘trial of the century,’ began on September 16 and is expected to last for 10 weeks, with a verdict anticipated in early 2025.
“I’m part of this club, deep inside of my bones, and the best way to defend the club is winning games and doing my job as best as possible,” Guardiola said when asked if there is a need to defend and promote City.
“I am going to defend my club, I trust [them], since the owner, since the chairman for the relation, the CEO, and all the people working here, for many many years. I know them quite well, much more than any of you.
“The best way to defend is by doing our job the best, everyone working here has their own responsibility.
“I’m part of this club, not just the manager. I love this club and it will always be that way.”