Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I couldn’t stand all the sneers of envy about City beating the Euro ban..they stand for so much more than money
ALL the jealousy and bitterness aimed at Manchester City after their two-year ban from Europe was overturned is unfair.
I want to see City win the Champions League next month – they have a great chance – and I am pleased they would be clear to defend it next season.
The bottom line is the charges of financial misconduct against City were dismissed by an independent body. They were accused of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations and were cleared.
And even their fine, for refusing to co-operate with the investigation, was reduced from £27million to £9m.
What does it mean for the future of FFP? I suspect City’s successful appeal means other clubs will challenge UEFA’S authority. But I did not enjoy the sneers of envy directed at City when the verdict was announced.
Above all, I was happy for the supporters, especially the loyal thousands who lived through the lean years when the club was in League One and stuck with their club when the Blue Moon was waning. I remember the days when City’s local derbies were against Macclesfield and Stockport, not at Old Trafford.
And I have not enjoyed some of the sideways comments from within the game that City’s successful appeal against their ban is somehow a bad day for football. Look beyond the trophies they have won on the pitch over the last decade and you’ll find that City’s success has transcended football.
Owner Sheikh Mansour’s investment has regenerated a whole part of the city – bringing jobs, housing, transport links and optimism to a part of Manchester that was sorely in need of refurbishment.
A large area of land, including Connell College, was donated by City for the council to develop.
City have attracted Pep Guardiola, arguably the greatest coach in the world, to the Premier League.
If Arsene Wenger introduced a whole new culture to the English game when he arrived at Arsenal 24 years ago, Guardiola has revolutionised the way we play – from grass roots to the top of the Premier League. We have had the privilege of watching David Silva, one of the greatest players to grace the top flight, whose influence is up there with Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry among worldclass imports.
City are in good shape to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, leading Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg - I hope they win it and keep the trophy on these shores.
And it would be astonishing if anyone topped the sheer drama of Sergio Aguero’s titleclinching winner in 2012. So Manchester City have given us many reasons to celebrate their influence – and those reasons far outweigh the jealousy and bitterness of rivals.
If City’s ban had not been overturned, I fear we would have lost Guardiola and possibly top players including Kevin De Bruyne, with no Champions League football.
They are not the first club to enjoy success after investing heavily in the squad.
Chelsea and Manchester United have done it, Liverpool made big-money signings (although their net spend is relatively low), and Blackburn spent big to win the title in 1995. Even Leicester’s miracle of 2016, which was by no means a triumph of spending, was based on their fantastic owners converting £103m of the club’s debt into equity.
Everything about going to the Etihad (left) is an enjoyable experience – the friendly staff, catering, media department, fans and football.
I am grateful for the way Pep’s philosophy has taken root in English football and how he assembled one of the finest teams we’ve ever seen.