City Football Group insider on the reality behind its player-trading empire
IMAGO | Man City's CEO Ferran Soriano (on the left) and Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak
In this interview former advisor reveals the sophistication and depth of resources City Football Group invest in its MCO and says that its primary goal is asset value and profit.
According to the advisor, CFG actively held back on a promotion campaign to the chagrin of fans after buying Lommel SK in 2020: “It was well known internally in the first years that they would just relax in the second division.”
Why it matters: If MCO’s compromise on club identity and local supporter engagement, they could pose significant questions for the integrity of sport and the fate of historic community assets.
The perspective: Challenging CFG's profit-first strategy, Van Kerckhoven introduces an investment fund focused on purposeful ownership and fan involvement.
1 December 2023 - 4:06 PM
One of the great myths of the multi-club ownership (MCO) model is of a self-sustaining footballing pyramid.
According to this vision, MCOs – sharing synergies in management, coaching, data, recruitment and playing style – see talent develop and rise through a rank of global clubs, with the very best players progressing to the team at the top.
In practice it is a flawed idea that promises more than it has ever delivered. Manchester City, the parent club of City Footba
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