These are indeed exciting times at the City of Manchester stadium and if the new owners are true to their word, the future looks very bright.
They have said some very reassuring words for the fans about slowly building a club that will have a long term successful future, rather than spending their billions to buy immediate, but maybe short lasting glory.
Having a blast
The new chairman elect, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, said:
“We are not going to do crazy stuff, but it makes sense for us to build a dynasty. Chairman Garry Cook and manager Mark Hughes call the shots and we’re here to help build a sustainable club. I think we are going to have a blast doing it!”
The takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United Group will be completed today.
As good as they get
The new chairman had strong words of praise for Mark Hughes, who seems to be secure in his job for the time being.
“Mark is as good as they get and we are backing him all the way. He is an honest man, he’s a leader, he’s tough and he is everything you would want in a head coach. We trust him, he’s one of the gems we saw in this club once we came here. We are here as long-term investors, and with our backing, with the commitment we are going to make to the academy in the next 10 years, there is going to be a tremendous period for Manchester City and for us.”
“I’m a fan, not an expert.”
Al Mubarak also felt the need to reassure fans that he would not be getting involved in football matters.
“Mark makes the football decisions and we are here to learn. One thing I have made very clear to Mark is that any player he wants comes from him. It comes from his requirements, his plan for the club. I’m a fan, but I am not an expert. It is Mark who runs the club, and he will put a plan together to win trophies but we will be patient. As long as it is being managed properly and the players are doing what they need to do, then it will take whatever it takes.”
Abu Dhabi United will take over control of the club from the out going owner Thaksin Shinawatra. It is believed that Shinawatra will retain a 10% stake in the club and becoming City’s honorary president and will have a ’partner’ on the board.
Not unreasonably ambitious
Sheikh Mansour, who backs Abu Dhabi United and is a member of the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the words of Khaldoon Al Mubarak by saying that he would not be demanding immediate success.
In a statement on the club’s website he said:
“We are ambitious for the club, but not unreasonably so. We understand it takes time to build a team capable of sustaining a presence in the top four of the Premier League and winning European honours. We know a little of the history at City also and whilst we want to bring in the best players in the world, we also want to see the academy continue to develop talent and give Mark Hughes the chance to bring home-grown players into the team. We are building a structure for the future not just a team of all-stars.”
Sheikh Mansour said that his investment in Manchester City was very much a personal venture rather than a state project and promised that his long-term commitment was to the club.
Best entertainment project in the world
“In cold business terms, Premiership football is one of the best entertainment products in the world and we see this as a sound business investment. That being said, we understand that we need to put money in to get the club to where we believe it can be and where we think you the fans want it to be. I am also a long-term investor and that is probably more important to the club and to the fans because it means we are here for the long haul and that we will act always in the best interests of the club and all of its stakeholders, but especially the fans.”
If I was a Manchester City fan I would be very happy with all of what has been said. My initial concerns would be beginning to fade and I would now be giving the new owners a cautious welcome.
Of course, it remains to be seen if they will be absolutely true to their word, but if they are, the club are in for a very exciting journey.
Mark Hughes might just be thinking he is the luckiest manager in the world!
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