This weekend marks the return of Premier League action, and fans are once again shifting their focus back to club football. However, according to BD Cricket Live, Manchester City’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano have also made their expectations crystal clear to manager Manuel Pellegrini: City must win a trophy this season.
Despite the club recently announcing its first-ever financial profit since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover, it’s clear the ultra-wealthy ownership group prioritizes success on the pitch far more than balance sheets. After last season’s disappointment, where City finished empty-handed, there’s no tolerance for another year without silverware. In his annual report, Al Mubarak wrote, “Winning trophies has always been the cornerstone and objective of Sheikh Mansour’s vision for Manchester City. Every year, we set our targets with championships in mind. Frankly, last season’s performance fell below the high standards we’ve set over the past seven years. Our ambition is immense, and we must never lose sight of our goals. No club wins titles every single season, but Manchester City must aim to dominate domestically and progress consistently in Europe.”
Last season, City managed only a second-place league finish, crashed out early in both the FA Cup and League Cup, and again fell short in the Champions League, exiting at the Round of 16. Despite rumors swirling about Pellegrini’s future, the Chilean manager was handed a contract extension through 2017 and a £160 million summer transfer budget. However, speculation continues to link Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola with a move to City, especially since Guardiola’s contract with Bayern expires at the end of this season and renewal talks have yet to materialize.
BD Cricket Live further reports that City’s CEO Soriano emphasized, “We are on the right path, but it’s not enough. If we finish a season without lifting a trophy, it’s impossible for us to be satisfied. Our key mission is to convert more of our opportunities into actual titles in the coming seasons.”
Currently, Manchester City sits atop the Premier League table but holds only a slim two-point lead over rivals Manchester United and Arsenal. Adding to the tension, City — without injured stars Sergio Agüero and David Silva — will soon face United in the Manchester Derby on October 25, a clash that could heavily influence the race for the Premier League crown.
As the old saying goes, “heavy lies the crown,” and for Pellegrini, the pressure is mounting fast. Only results — and trophies — will ultimately decide his fate.