Manchester City (England)
City, currently ranked second in the Premier League, was acquired in September 2008 by Sheikh Mansour through his investment group, Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment, for an estimated £210m. In 2013, City Football Group was formed and as of 2021, Mansour holds an 81% ownership through his company, Newton Investment and Development. The remaining 18.16% is held by US private equity firm Silver Lake, with China Media Capital and CITIC Capital owning the rest. Mansour’s ownership of City for the past 15 years has been marked by remarkable success, including seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups, a Champions League victory, and a Uefa Super Cup win. In December, City will aim to add another trophy to their collection by competing in the Fifa World Club Cup.
After assuming control, Mansour stated, “We want to emphasize that Mark Hughes is crucial to our plans.” Hughes, who had been appointed just three months prior, remained in his position until December of the following year. Since then, Manchester City has been managed by Roberto Mancini (2009-2013), Manuel Pellegrini (2013-2016), and currently Pep Guardiola (2016 to present). Under Guardiola’s leadership last season, City achieved the treble, a feat that is on par with their 100-point title win in 2017-18.
New York City FC (USA)
In May 2013, CFG acquired an 80% ownership of City’s first sister club, which was added as a Major League Soccer expansion franchise. The acquisition cost $100 million, with Yankee Global Enterprises contributing the remaining 20% and also owning the New York Yankees. For their inaugural season in 2015, NYCFC signed David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Andrea Pirlo as designated players. Initially finishing 17th in the Eastern Conference, they have since improved and placed second, second, third, and eventually first. Their coaches have included former City midfielder Patrick Vieira, Domènec Torrent (a former assistant to Guardiola), and the current coach Nick Cushing, who previously led City’s women’s team. In 2021, NYCFC became MLS champions.
Melbourne City (Australia)
In 2015, CFG fully acquired the ninth spot in the A-League, having purchased an 80% share the year before. This move was part of a trend in which players and coaches would rotate between the group’s various clubs, including Villa who joined on loan. The team has achieved notable accomplishments such as winning the A-League championship in 2021 and the Australian Cup in 2016.
F Marinos Yokohama (Japan)
The J1 League’s runner-up: In May 2014, CFG acquired a minority stake in this team, making them the third to join. Nissan Motors remains the majority owner. Kevin Muscat currently serves as their manager. From 2018 to 2021, Ange Postecoglou led Marinos to their first J1 League title since 2004. The team also won the championship last year.
Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay)
In 2017, the team known as Torque was acquired and became Montevideo City Torque three years later. They were promoted to the Primera División in their first season under CFG ownership as champions of the Segunda División. They were later relegated but then promoted again. According to CFG, the club serves as an administrative center for City’s scouting efforts in the region.
Girona (Spain)
In August 2017, CFG (City Football Group) acquired a 44.3% stake in a Catalan club, which is also owned by Girona Football Group, led by Pere Guardiola, brother of Pep Guardiola. Girona was promoted to La Liga for the first time in 2017 and briefly held the top spot in this season’s standings. Some familiar faces from City include Yangel Herrera and former players Aleix and Eric Garcías (not related), while 21-year-old Brazilian defender Yan Couto is currently on loan from the English champions. Taty Castellanos, who was previously with Torque and NYCFC, was sold to Lazio in the summer.
Sichuan Jiuniu (China)
The Chengdu club, founded just two years ago, joined the CFG group in 2019 when they purchased a 28% share. The majority ownership of 54% belongs to China Sports Capital, with Ubtech robotics owning the remaining 18%. Jesús Tato, who previously worked as an assistant coach at another CFG club Mumbai City, is currently the caretaker manager. In October, Sichuan won the China League One title, securing their spot in the Chinese Super League for next year. They are one of the few CFG clubs that have not been renamed with a “City” prefix.
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Mumbai City (India)
In November 2019, a 65% stake was acquired in the Indian Super League, making Mumbai’s chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, who also holds the same position at Manchester City and Melbourne City. In 2021, the Mumbai team, known as the Islanders, were crowned champions of the Indian Super League and Championship. This year, Mumbai once again emerged victorious in the ISL.
Lommel SK (Belgium)
Club No 9 for CFG, acquired in May 2020, is ranked fifth in the Challenger Pro League. They compete in the second tier of their country’s league and are led by former Arsenal defender Steve Bould.
Troyes (France)
Lommel’s purchase of the 37-year-old French club, who were promoted to Ligue 1 in the 2020-21 season, occurred four months prior to their majority stake acquisition. The team remained in Ligue 1 for two years before ultimately being relegated. They finished 17th in the league.
Palermo (Italy)
The Italian second-tier club is now owned 94.5% by CFG after an initial 80% purchase in July 2022, placing them fifth in Serie B.
Bahia (Brazil)
In Série A, the team from northeast Brazil that plays at the 48,000-capacity Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova stadium was purchased by CFG in May, adding to their presence in South America alongside Torque. Brazilian player Kayky and Uruguayan player Nicolás Acevedo are currently on loan from City and NYCFC.
Club Bolívar (Bolivia)
In the First Division, the club is ranked second: In 2021, CFG announced a partnership with a Bolivian team in the top league, providing them with access to a range of knowledge, technology, and advice from City Football Group’s multi-club system.
Source: theguardian.com
