Under the Abu Dhabi ownership regime, Manchester City achieved unprecedented success, instilling a deep sense of pride in its supporter base. However, according to columnist Will Unwin, restoring that emotional connection is now dependent on a change in leadership at the club’s helm.
In the wake of hundreds of thousands of words analyzing Manchester City’s guilt regarding serious Premier League financial rule breaches, former manager Roberto Mancini’s reaction stood out. Upon hearing the verdicts, he stated the matter was “not my concern.” Unwin argues this sentiment is understandable; Mancini reaped significant financial rewards from contracts later deemed “sham” by an independent commission, yet his relationship with the institution began and ended with his tenure.
Since leaving the club, the Italian manager has likely done little to examine the legacy he left behind. Unwin describes Mancini as a microcosm of the modern football club: appointed for his expertise and heavily compensated for his results. The club, driven by an attitude of “win at all costs,” accommodated him at great expense. This approach, however, was found by the independent commission to have circumnavigated financial regulations.
The article raises a good point about ownership accountability versus employee culpability in modern football structures.
‘Win at all costs’ poisoned everything. Sorry, but I don’t trust any narratives that try to shift blame away from the hierarchy.
Is it fair to let the board off the hook? Fans feel betrayed regardless of who was managing back then.
I was surprised by the focus on Mancini. Fans should really be directing this frustration at the owners, not former staff.
Makes sense. Mancini won and got paid; he is not responsible for the club’s accounting long after he left.