Canadian national team manager Jesse Marsch has publicly called for Manchester City to face the harshest possible penalties following findings that the club committed serious violations of Premier League financial regulations. Marsch, who previously managed Leeds United from 2022 to 2023, stated that his experiences managing against the English giants reinforced his belief that the club operated with significant inconsistencies.
The Premier League recently determined that Manchester City breached financial rules across nine seasons, spanning from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The league alleges the club utilized fake commercial agreements to inflate revenue and underreport expenses by more than £900 million ($1.19 billion).
Manchester City has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the independent commission’s verdict contained fundamental errors regarding law, principle, and fact. The club filed an appeal on Thursday against the ruling.
Speaking to The Guardian on Sunday, Marsch emphasized the widespread awareness of the club’s practices. “I think Man City should be punished severely. I think they should have to go down, and by the way, everyone knew about it. Everyone knew,” Marsch said.
Marsch highlighted the 2022 summer transfer window as a prime example of the disparity between his former club and City. During that period, Leeds sold players such as Raphinha to Barcelona and Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City while both clubs reported making a profit. Marsch noted that while Leeds genuinely generated surplus funds from those sales due to limited financial backing, City’s claim of profitability struck him as implausible.
“For us, we did make money, because we sold Raphinha, we sold Kalvin Phillips. We had a lot left over from what we bought,” Marsch explained. “At the time, we weren’t in a position financially to not save. Our ownership didn’t have deep pockets. Whereas when Man City says this, I was literally like, ‘Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?'”
The former American coach also expressed skepticism regarding City’s acquisition of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund that same summer. Marsch disputed the reported £52 million ($69 million) transfer fee, suggesting the discrepancy further indicated irregularities in the club’s financial reporting.
“When they said they got Erling Haaland for 52 million pounds, it’s like, ‘Yeah, OK, sure!’ So, I knew there were inconsistencies in it, but what can you do? You just put your arms in the air and go, ‘This is football,'” Marsch recalled.
Manchester City’s appeal will be heard in private by an independent three-member board, with the club maintaining its denial of all charges. Potential sanctions under consideration include fines, points deductions, and other sporting penalties, with relegation and the stripping of titles also being discussed as possible outcomes. It remains uncertain whether any penalties would be enforced before the appeal process concludes.
Relegation is extreme, but City’s denials feel pretty hollow after nine seasons of rule-breaking allegations.
It’s wild that everyone knew but did nothing for years. The system failed here.
Does Marsch have any actual proof, or is this just sour grapes from his Leeds days?
I always suspected something was off with those transfer fees. Haaland for 52 million? Please.
Honestly, if the financial evidence is this blatant, relegation feels like the only just outcome. Football needs integrity.