Pep Guardiola & Man City chief given heroes’ welcome as they take to the stands for first home game since guilty verdict

PEP GUARDIOLA was given a heroes’ welcome as he returned to the Etihad. The former Manchester City boss was sat in the posh seats as his old side took on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in their first home game since their guilty verdict emerged. Guardiola, 55, made his first return to the Etihad since leaving City in the summer after 10 glittering years. The Spaniard sat just behind club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and City Group CEO Ferran Soriano. Ahead of the game, fans sat in the Pep Guardiola Stand held up cards, creating the message CTID – standing for “City ‘Til I Die”. It is unclear whether the timing of Guardiola’s return related to City recently being found guilty of more than 100 of the 130 charges levelled against them by the Premier League. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL But prior to the verdict, which City strongly contest and have appealed, it had been expected that Guardiola would stay away for longer. The former boss remains a City Football Group ambassador. And after news of their guilty verdict emerged last month, Guardiola quickly came out in support of his employers. He wrote in a statement: “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here – more than ever. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS “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.” SunSport reported last week that Guardiola would be returning to City for this game. He is expected to meet up with former colleagues Enzo Maresca and Luis Enrique after the game, before then jetting away from Manchester. On the pitch, City have had a fantastic start to life after Guardiola. Sunday’s resounding 3-0 win at Liverpool made six wins out of six in the Premier League for Maresca. But in front of their former boss, Prem leaders City got off to a nightmare start against PSG. Desire Doue fired the two-time defending champions into a 13th minute lead, with Ousmane Dembele then adding a quickfire second before Vitinha added a brilliant third in a devastating first half.