"Everybody feels obviously proud and delighted" - Manchester City chairman sends message to club and manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has sent a message to the club and manager Pep Guardiola, congratulating them for another successful season. In his message, Al Mubarak praised the reigning English champions after a season that saw the club win a record fourth consecutive league title.
The Manchester-based club was bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in September 2008 from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Since then, City have established themselves as one of the greatest football teams in English history.
The Manchester City chairman expressed his delight at his club's progress on and off the pitch. He said in his annual statement:
"You can see today that I’m delighted, and I think I reflect our coaching staff, our management team, how our leadership, the board, the owner, His Highness Sheikh Mansour and of course everybody in our staff. Everybody feels obviously proud and delighted with what we have achieved this year."
Al Mubarak concluded his statement by reiterating the club owner's commitment to the club, saying:
“Since day one, Sheikh Mansour as the largest shareholder of the [CFG] group, has been very focused on growth and value appreciation. And in doing so, every pound of profit has stayed within the group to support growth and development. The result of it is we always are investing. We're always investing in infrastructure, in the development of these clubs. We're buying new teams. We continue to grow and grow.”
Manchester City will hope to continue the impressive run in the English Premier League next season. Pep Guardiola will be looking to lift the title for the fifth consecutive time in what could be his final season with the English giants.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola shuts down Barcelona return
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has shut the door on a potential return to Barcelona in a recent interview with ESPN. The Catalan manager started his career with the Blaugrana, winning a phenomenal six titles in a calendar year, but has revealed he has no desire to return.
Guardiola cited the tendency of issues in Catalonia to be made public when explaining why he did not intend to return. He said:
"The Barça bench is one of the most complicated because you have to manage many cases. In Manchester everything we do remains inside and at Barça, everything comes out."
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola look set to end their partnership next summer when his contract expires if an extension can not be agreed. The Blaugrana legend has been phenomenal at Manchester and the reigning champions will hope they can secure an extension with the legendary manager.