Manchester City Fans
As Manchester City participates in the Club World Cup in the United States, the club aims to enhance its international profile while maintaining its historical values. Since Sheikh Mansour’s 2008 takeover, Manchester City has undergone a remarkable transformation, becoming a key player in a network of 12 international clubs. However, CEO Ferran Soriano has reassured fans that the club’s growth will not compromise its core values.
Ferran Soriano said: “We have our roots and we are proud of them. But you can be local and relevant and faithful to the history of the club, and the fans that support you, but you can also be global and show what we do – which we believe is beautiful football – to the world. Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.”
Manchester City’s journey in America commenced with a 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad AC, witnessed by a Philadelphia crowd of 37,446. Despite criticism over issues such as player welfare, ticket prices, attendance, and inconvenient kick-off times, Soriano remains optimistic about the tournament’s expanded format.
Soriano said: “We are very excited by it. I think it’s something that was very much needed. Soccer is a global sport and we have to make it global. You have to have teams like Manchester City playing teams from Morocco, Korea or wherever. That’s part of the globalisation of the number one sport in the world. I think it’s a great initiative and we are very happy to be here.”
Manchester City has strengthened its squad with eight new signings this year, including four recent additions, as they aim to recover from a disappointing 2024-25 season. Soriano emphasized the necessity of squad renewal as part of the club’s annual cycle.
Soriano continued: “Obviously it’s not possible to win always, so we want to go as far as we can. The squad needs to be renewed. It’s something that happens naturally. We are very happy, I’m happy, with the work that we did. Last summer we only bought one new player but this year between the winter and the summer it will be eight new ones.”
The Club World Cup serves as a platform for Manchester City to showcase its footballing prowess on a global stage while staying true to its heritage. As the club continues to evolve, it remains committed to balancing local and global ambitions.
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