O
f all the challenges from
new money to the old order
of European football, the
most powerful is being
lodged by Manchester City. Their
owners, led by Sheikh Mansour from
the royal family of oil state Abu Dhabi,
have virtually unlimited wealth.
They have a clear long-term vision,
they have introduced stable and strong
management, and they trust in a
ruthless, cold-eyed manager. And they
have also begun to assert serious and
stylish authority in the Premier League
this season with a 6-1 win away to rivals
Manchester United, a 5-1 victory away
to Tottenham, and a record number of
goals scored in the first half of the season.
Yet, there is a curious conundrum at
work with City. Despite everything, they
still feel like victims.
Why? Well, the Financial Fair Play
(FFP) rules being introduced by UEFA
in an attempt to curb the excesses of
clubs who wildly overspend and plunge
into monstrous debt have the potential
to strike City hardest of all, preventing
them from entering the Champions
League and earning its reward of self-
perpetuating revenue generation.Words:Jim HoldenTHE STORIES
CLUBFOCUS:MANCHESTERCITY