Best owners and administrators in English football - A Tribute to the late Mr. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

SHEIKH MANSOUR OF QATAR

Manchester City was for many years a maligned football club. They had a large and passionate following, but for many decades were mismanaged, or simply not that good on the pitch. The poorer relations of city neighbors Manchester United, City often flirted with relegation, and at one point were in Division 2 (current League One).

They moved into the former Commonwealth Games stadium in 2002, and this boosted both attendances and revenues. But then things changed in 2008, as City no longer were the "banter club" and failing side they had been for decades.

The Qatar group, led by Sheikh Mansour, bought the club with the stated intent to make it a super force in the country and the world. They saw their position in Manchester, a large British city, and the ready infrastructure at the club.

They very soon started to buy big, redevelop the stadium (renamed from the City of Manchester Stadium to the Etihad Stadium), build world-class training facilities, and develop their global branding to match those of more established top-level clubs.

With Sergio "Kun" Aguero, Yaya Toure, David Silva, et al. they were able to win the FA Cup in 2011, and then the Premier League in a unique style in 2012:

Further league titles and FA Cups followed since then and most recently the 2018 record-breaking title side, led by legendary manager Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City is now a prime global force, and the next step is surely the Champions League and European dominance.The Qatar Group certainly has made an indelible impact on both Manchester City and the Premier League.