In an exclusive interview, the Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak talks the clubs value, the near future of Pep Guardiola,leader Raheem Sterling, and more…
In his very first UK broadcast interview since becoming City chairman at 2008, Al Mubarak discusses the release of some minority shareholding which worth the City Football Group at just short of $5billion.
Mubarak also discusses his pride in Sterling on and off the pitch, why Guardiola is a massive asset to the team, and what his plans are for the upcoming years…
Khaldoon, thank you for talking to Sky. I am aware this is your broadcast interview after the news of today. And its big news. It is a deal that catapults City Football Groups evaluation . How large a validation is the plan?
We are really excited. Thank you so much for allowing me on the display. Its been a fantastic journey during the previous 10 or 11 decades and I believe this trade is really a testament to the travel that weve undertaken. After Sheikh Mansour purchased back the club in 2008, he purchased it with a view that this will be a profitable, sustainable business and I think we have done this. Over the last ten years weve shown this thesis is accurate and that it is correct and this transaction is a further testament to this thesis.
Tell me, have you had discussions with other investors? What exactly was it that led you specifically to Silver Lake and are they the perfect fit?
So Silver Lake I think is a investor. We are thrilled to possess Silver Lake within this group . Silver Lake is among the leaders in entertainment investing, sports and technology websites. It is a US company and weve fast, through the discussions weve had over the last couple of weeks, arrive at the end that we are a good match for each other. I think they add a great deal of value to the category, particularly since I consider the future and what we mean to do in another 10 years. I think Silver Lake is the best fit and I believe that with everything they need and the type of investment they are seeing, City Football Group has been shown to be an excellent fit for them, so I think it was a really great marriage between both of these organisations.
Youve invested significantly over the previous 10 years both at infrastructure and the group in the Etihad. Thanks to the investment from Silver Lake you have got an additional $500m. How are you going to spend it?
Well we have been focusing over the last ten years with a transparent business plan, a clear investment plan, a clear international strategy concerning how we assembled our team out of 1 group, at Manchester City, to a set of nightclubs across the world. Were leaders today from the soccer business. These companies are sustainable, are rewarding. I think Manchester City is currently five years at profitability so I feel this sustainable model we have been focusing on has proven to be a success and Silver Lake finds . The investment, that can be 500m that Silver Lake is putting into the group, and we are not taking out any money. This investment money stays in the group and remains as part of our growth strategy for its future and well continue down the route that we have started 10 decades ago and as we all look at the next chapter of the evolution which is the subsequent 10 decades, this investment will help fuel our growth.
Going right back to when you first started, youre famously described as thenoisy neighbors of your competitions across the city. How large a part does Silver Lakes investment play in bridging the gap?
Manchester United is a organisation that is successful and has been over the years. Id rather not talk about other businesses and other groups. Im really only focused on what we do. And what were doing is building a sustainable business which continues to increase and continues to be successful both on and off the pitch. And I look at what weve achieved over the previous ten years as a reference to construct for another 10 years across the board in every single club that we have spent.
As part of the building process over the previous 10 years you have invested significantly. Does the possession still have the desire? 10 years and, if so, whats a goal for Manchester City on the next, say?
I believe this transaction is really a testament to the desire this group has about the future. When we earn a different half a billion dollars of investment into the group and once we devote to maintain that investment and not take out any of the, I think that in itself tells you the way we see investing and the way we see the future. We view this as a appealing and growing business to invest in. We have created the platform for that and I can certainly guarantee you we are focusing on the long run, on growth and construction on the strength that weve built through time.
In all of this, of course there is a background of an ongoing UEFA investigation. The allegations against youve been widely publicised. They are that you have circumvented Financial Fair Play regulations. What do you say to those allegations? (City have previously vehemently denied the allegations).
I think our position on this is extremely clear. And weve made it explicit over the last couple of months. And given that there is a process underway it is quite important that you respect that process. Therefore I believe its not suitable for me to comment other than were respecting the process and were going through the measures.
I know you cant get drawn on particulars, but are you confident that the club will be cleared?
My position has been consistent with this and on the record and clear.
OK, let us get back to things about the pitch. Raheem Sterling is frequently spoken about in exactly the identical breath as that elite band of footballers, specifically Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Last year a contract was even signed by him. What can you do in order to make sure that Raheem is a part of Manchester Citys long term future?
Im very proud of that which Raheem has done over the previous few years. His evolution as a participant, but more significantly as a person I think was exceptional. He has become a leader on and off the pitch. He has become a leader within this squad in Manchester City, he is turning into a leader at England serving his nation. And I believe hes been a leader locally. Im so happy for him because I think he is a fantastic young guy and I think his gift, listen, there is 1 thing I am sure of – Raheem is only likely to enhance and just going to rise as both a participant and a pioneer therefore the future is extremely bright for Raheem plus its a pleasure to have him a part of our team.
Let us discuss that group for a minute. You seem set to progress from this group stages of the Champions League. Youre in another epic title race. Are you worried theres too much ground to make up on Liverpool? Have you talked to the players and, in that case, can there be a belief they can retain their title?
This team is a special team. I think what has been accomplished, of the last two seasons to become specific, is unique. 198 points over two seasons. Back-to-back Premier League names. Four trophies this past year. This is whats been achieved so hats off to everyone involved in this organisation. And I think weve shown again and again and this group has shown time and time again that you cannot write off them. This is a hardworking team with an exceptional manager, a committed team, a team that is disciplined.
I think in Pep weve got a leader who has shown again and again his ability to always evolve and continuously challenge and we have been in this position not once but many occasions before, and we have shown the character always consistently to come back. I believe that the Premier League is a very ambitious league. Thats why we all love this league. Winning it is one of the most challenging endeavours that any individual in sport can perform. The struggle is there. We are up for it and theres still a long way to go in November and were going to see where we wind up in May, but were up for this.
It is intriguing, Khaldoon, hearing you talk about Pep, hearing everyone in the club speak about him and just how central hes to everything here. He headed Barcelona for four decades, he was Bayern for three years and hes been just short of three decades. How confident are you really in his longevity and have you ever experienced any guarantees that hes going to be here for years to comeback?
Pep continues to be an asset to this particular organisation. We can speak about his managerial accomplishments for hours. But I believe as a individual, as an individual he has been a part of what weve achieved here over the previous three years. He dedicated. Were committed to him. Youve seen his interview. We have a wonderful relationship. Weve got a fantastic environment here. The people around him, the team we have in place now, the relationships I have with them, this is really an environment thats conducive to success for him and everybody else involved in this business enterprise. So I am quite satisfied with his devotion and our dedication to him and I am looking forward to the joys of this for a long time to come.
Let us bring it back if we could to todays news. The valuation of City Football Group is enormous. Just how much can be his accomplishments at Manchester City part of that valuation and Pep Guardiola?
The accomplishments I presume of pep , undoubtedly, are integral. I believe what weve realized over the last couple of years is impressive. And thats had, I think, an influence that is overwhelming for the whole group. However, I think Pep will be the first person. This is a wonderful organisation weve got. A group all over the world. Weve got 1,500 players also around the Earth, a part of the group. More than 2,000 employees worldwide. Weve got our teams each year, playing over 2,500 games. This really can be a magnificent organisation all around the world working together. Successful clubs from Manchester into Yokohama, Japan to New York to Melbourne.
To India?
India is another market that we are taking a look at. This is a team effort and thats one of those things I am most proud of this we have actually an A group throughout the board and thats been revealed within this evaluation. And reflected in a US investor is currently putting $ 500m were speaking about. That is a testament to the strength and sustainability of this organisation.
And whats next for this organisation? As we touched theres been talk of a team in India. Is that close to occurring?
As soon as we look at development we examine three markets. The United States of America, India and China. And weve invested, obviously as you know, in New York, and that is our US presence in MLS. We have spent in China and certainly India is the next major market that wed love to have a place in. Thats been public. I hope very shortly we will be able continue our growth trajectory in the appropriate markets globally and to create our move.
So potentially there might be other clubs on the horizon?
You have seen what we have done over that 10 decades. Youve seen how we have grown. I think we will always examine the proper opportunities and grow in a rewarding way for the group, in a way that is sustainable and in the right way.
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