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North Wales Chronicle
9 hours ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
We have our roots and we are proud of them – Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano
City, now part of an international network of 12 clubs, are hoping to further broaden their reach with a strong run at the ongoing Club World Cup in the United States. Yet while City have been transformed radically since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Soriano maintains their ambitions will not come at the cost of tradition. Soriano told DAZN: 'We have our roots and we are proud of them. 'But you can be local and relevant and faithful to the history of the club, and the fans that support you, but you can also be global and show what we do – which we believe is beautiful football – to the world. 'It's a combination that works very well and we are proud.' City began their challenge in the US with a 2-0 win over Moroccan side Wydad AC in front of a crowd of 37,446 in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The tournament has faced plenty of criticism for a variety of reasons, including its positioning in the calendar and consequent player welfare concerns, ticket prices, poor attendances, kick-off times and venue choices. Yet Soriano has no doubt of the merits of the revamped competition, which has been expanded from the seven-team event won by City in 2023 to a month-long affair featuring 32 clubs. The Spaniard said: 'We are very excited by it. I think it's something that was very much needed. Soccer is a global sport and we have to make it global. 'You have to have teams like Manchester City playing teams from Morocco, Korea or wherever. That's part of the globalisation of the number one sport in the world. 'I think it's a great initiative and we are very happy to be here.' City have set their sights on victory having refreshed the squad following an underwhelming 2024-25 season. They signed four new players last week in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli, having also brought in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in January. Soriano said: 'The ambition for City in any competition is to win it. That's the status of the club. 'Obviously it's not possible to win always, so we want to go as far as we can. 'The squad needs to be renewed. It's something that happens naturally. 'We are very happy, I'm happy, with the work that we did. 'Last summer we only bought one new player but this year between the winter and the summer it will be eight new ones. 'It's part of the annual cycle, the renewal of the squad. We accelerated some of it and now we are very happy with the squad we have.'
South Wales Guardian
9 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
We have our roots and we are proud of them – Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano
City, now part of an international network of 12 clubs, are hoping to further broaden their reach with a strong run at the ongoing Club World Cup in the United States. Yet while City have been transformed radically since being taken over by Sheikh Mansour in 2008, Soriano maintains their ambitions will not come at the cost of tradition. Soriano told DAZN: 'We have our roots and we are proud of them. 'But you can be local and relevant and faithful to the history of the club, and the fans that support you, but you can also be global and show what we do – which we believe is beautiful football – to the world. 'It's a combination that works very well and we are proud.' City began their challenge in the US with a 2-0 win over Moroccan side Wydad AC in front of a crowd of 37,446 in Philadelphia on Wednesday. The tournament has faced plenty of criticism for a variety of reasons, including its positioning in the calendar and consequent player welfare concerns, ticket prices, poor attendances, kick-off times and venue choices. Yet Soriano has no doubt of the merits of the revamped competition, which has been expanded from the seven-team event won by City in 2023 to a month-long affair featuring 32 clubs. The Spaniard said: 'We are very excited by it. I think it's something that was very much needed. Soccer is a global sport and we have to make it global. 'You have to have teams like Manchester City playing teams from Morocco, Korea or wherever. That's part of the globalisation of the number one sport in the world. 'I think it's a great initiative and we are very happy to be here.' City have set their sights on victory having refreshed the squad following an underwhelming 2024-25 season. They signed four new players last week in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli, having also brought in Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis in January. Soriano said: 'The ambition for City in any competition is to win it. That's the status of the club. 'Obviously it's not possible to win always, so we want to go as far as we can. 'The squad needs to be renewed. It's something that happens naturally. 'We are very happy, I'm happy, with the work that we did. 'Last summer we only bought one new player but this year between the winter and the summer it will be eight new ones. 'It's part of the annual cycle, the renewal of the squad. We accelerated some of it and now we are very happy with the squad we have.'
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man City fined more than $1 million for repeatedly delaying Premier League kickoff times
Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, left, and Wydad AC's Guilherme Ferreira fight for the ball during the Club World Cup group G soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) Manchester City's Phil Foden walks on the pitch during the Club World Cup group G soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Manchester City's Phil Foden walks on the pitch during the Club World Cup group G soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Manchester City's Omar Marmoush, left, and Wydad AC's Guilherme Ferreira fight for the ball during the Club World Cup group G soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton) Manchester City's Phil Foden walks on the pitch during the Club World Cup group G soccer match between Manchester City and Wydad AC in Philadelphia, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Manchester City was fined more than one million pounds ($1.35 million) by the Premier League on Thursday for repeatedly delaying kickoff times 'without good reason' last season. City, managed by Pep Guardiola, admitted to nine breaches of league rules related to kickoffs and re-starts after halftime and has apologized. Advertisement The most dominant team in English soccer over the past decade was handed fines for each breach, amounting to 1.08 million pounds ($1.45 million). The biggest individual fine was 210,000 pounds ($283,000) for a delay of 2 minutes, 22 seconds at the start of the second half against Ipswich on Jan. 19. 'Rules relating to kickoffs and re-starts help ensure the organization of the competition is set at the highest possible professional standard and provides certainty to fans and participating clubs,' the Premier League said in a statement. 'It also ensures the broadcast of every Premier League match is kept to schedule.' City, currently in the U.S. for the Club World Cup, delayed kickoffs for the start of both halves in a match against Manchester United in December. The start of the second half was delayed 2 minutes, 24 seconds — the longest of all the breaches. Advertisement Last year, City was fined 2.09 million pounds ($2.8 million) for 22 breaches of the same rule over the previous two seasons. City is still waiting on the outcome of a hearing into more than 100 charges of alleged financial breaches over a nine-year period. The hearing began in September last year after charges were made in February 2023. ___ James Robson is at ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola hints at new Manchester City role for Phil Foden in 2025/26 season
Phil Foden could be set to take on a new role in Manchester City's system, as hinted by head coach Pep Guardiola this week. The England international returned to action for the new 2025/26 season with a bang as he provided both a goal and an assist in Manchester City's opening victory of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Advertisement Scoring inside the opening two minutes, Foden inspired his side on to a convincing victory over Wydad AC in the group stage of the competition, before delivering the perfect corner for Jeremy Doku to volley home before the stroke of half-time. With Kevin De Bruyne departing the club and Manchester City recruiting Rayan Cherki from Lyon for the number 10 role, many have been wondering how that could impact Phil Foden's positional availability in Pep Guardiola's side. Operating through the middle alongside the aforementioned France international, Wednesday afternoon perhaps offered the first glimpse into the all-energy approach that Guardiola is attempting to implement in his forward line. And speaking to broadcasters after Manchester City's 2-0 win over Wydad AC in their opening contest of the Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on the importance of Foden after his match-winning performance in Philadelphia. Advertisement 'Of course he will be important [this season],' Guardiola insisted. The Catalan tactician continued, 'He plays another role, more there, we have a lot of No10s, we have to adjust many things, but step by step.' For now, it remains to be seen exactly what Pep Guardiola's preference is for the attacking midfield ranks in his side, although the remainder of the Club World Cup could offer some insight into the vision for the new season. Manchester City will next take on the United Arab Emirates' Al Ain on matchday two of the group stage, with the Middle-Eastern club falling to a tough 0-5 defeat on their own opening game of the competition at the hands of Juventus. Pep Guardiola has already stated that the clash against the side in Atlanta, Georgia at the weekend could see a heavily rotated line-up fielded, with as many as 10 new players anticipated for the contest.
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano praises Club World Cup: ‘It was very much needed'
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has praised the concept of the newly-expanded Club World Cup, saying the change was 'very much needed'. City won the tournament two years ago when it was contested by seven teams but this summer it has grown to 32. It has split opinion but the prize pot is worth $1 billion in total and Soriano believes it is a good thing for the sport. Advertisement 'We are very excited by it, I think it's something that was very much needed,' he told reporters in the United States. 'Soccer is a global sport and we have to make it global. 'You have to have teams like Manchester City playing teams from Morocco, Korea or wherever. That's part of the globalisation of the number one sport in the world. 'I think it's a great initiative and we are very happy to be here.' Attendances have varied at different stadiums and cities but City's opening match in Philadelphia brought a crowd of 37,446. 'It's very important to be here because we are a global football club,' said Soriano. 'We have our roots and we are proud of them. But you can be local and relevant and faithful to the history of the club and the fans that support you, but you can also be global and show what we do — which we believe is beautiful football — to the world. 'It's a combination that works very well and we are proud.' City beat Moroccan side Wydad AC 2-0 in their opening game and play Al Ain and Juventus in their remaining group matches. Having gone a season without a trophy for the first time since 2016-2017, City are aiming to go all the way in the U.S. 'The ambition for City in any competition is to win it. That's the status of the club,' Soriano added. 'Obviously, it's not possible to win always so we want to go as far as we can. But the ambition of Manchester City always is to win.'
