After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the 2008-2009 season, Manchester City flexed its financial muscle once again with the signing of such stars as Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, and Carlos Tevez. In the summer of 2010, new manager Roberto Mancini shored up the team even more by signing Mario Balotelli, David Silva, and Jerome Boateng. His investment paid dividends: in the 2011-2012 season, Manchester City won its first English Premier League title since 1968.
In recent years, many of the top soccer clubs in Europe have come under the ownership of wealthy foreign investors. In 2008, the previously mid-table Manchester City Football Club was acquired by Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment in a deal worth some £200 million. Less than 24 hours after acquiring the club, the new Abu Dhabi-based owners acquired Brazilian superstar Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.5 million, immediately transforming the club into a major international contender.
After a disappointing 10th-place finish in the 2008-2009 season, Manchester City flexed its financial muscle once again with the signing of such stars as Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, and Carlos Tevez. In the summer of 2010, new manager Roberto Mancini shored up the team even more by signing Mario Balotelli, David Silva, and Jerome Boateng. His investment paid dividends: in the 2011-2012 season, Manchester City won its first English Premier League title since 1968. |
AuthorDr. Shahram Shirkhani works on behalf of prominent multinational corporations and financial institutions in addition to private entities based in Iran and surrounding countries. Archives
February 2016
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