Should City be smiling?

The changing face of English football under foreign ownership

Last updated: 26th September 2008  

Should City be smiling?

'As I was saying Arsene...'

"When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is." Oscar Wilde

"It doesn't look like they (ADUG) are there to make any money. So if they are not there to make money out of it, then are they buying it out of love? I am not sure these people are supporters of Manchester City from a young age." Arsene Wenger

When a philosopher meets a professor what often occurs is a clash of currency as one deals in ideas, the other fact, but what binds messrs Wilde and Wenger is a cynicism that runs even deeper than the romanticism they share.

It takes not a great leap of imagination to envisage the pair sharing a nip of port in the marbled halls of Highbury; offering their musings on the art deco surrounds, while simultaneously lamenting a beautiful game sullied by foreign monies.

In 1989 another sharp-tongued bard sung of the last of the international playboys but Morrissey's vision of the future has proved less than prophetic, for rather than die out in sun-kissed Marbella hideaways the modern day player buys a football club. It would appear any right-minded billionaire concerns himself not with fast cars and faster woman but rather football, where possession is ninth tenths of the kudos. Why buy the admiration of a model when for an admittedly handsome price, a whole fan-base can be the puppet at the end of your string?

Roman Abramovich started the trend with his odd blend of formal shirts and no tie, which suggested 'I'm too rich to care about protocol' and 'I'm a man that means business but I like yachts more than boardrooms'. This is of course a physical euphemism for 'I employ short bald men to do my sacking' but let us not digress. The advent of new money in the Premier League and the ostentatious pursuit of silverware heralded the arrival of the likeable but financially ruinous Egghead at West Ham, Liverpool's warring Yanks, the mysterious South Coast Gaydamaks, the surprisingly sane Randy chap at Villa, United's Glazers (two years - two titles - not so many protests now), Flavio and pals at QPR and now....cue Arsene's scorn...the Abu Dhabi United Group at Manchester City.

The blue side of a city that has always, contrary to the song, stood united and not alone is understandably over the moon. When Manchester City fan Noel Gallagher penned Cast no Shadow he was clearly not referring to his football, for United's dominance of the Premier League years has been played out against a backdrop of arrested development for their neighbours. Relegation to the third tier of English football, Alan Kernaghan, Franny Lee, Peter Swailes, trips to Moss Rose, Alan Ball and Lee Bradbury were pitted against 10 titles, Eric Cantona, the European Cup, twice, Ryan Giggs, the Cup Winners' Cup, Paul Scholes. The only thing City had that United craved was a papier-mache fan and even Frank Sidebottom's not what he used to be.

So amid this infectious mood of optimism just why is Arsene so unhappy?

Well for starters, he was less than enamoured by Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim's exclamation of intent to sign Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo upon the news of his buyout on transfer deadline day. The good doctor burst into the Eastlands boardroom, shoved aside old Thaksin (braver man than me) before halting Mark Hughes' bid to bring in the type of honest pros he relied on at Blackburn. Sustainable progress is for squares; sod David Tennant, the new doctor wants glamour, Billy Piper, Madonna, Freddy Mercury - cue outlandish offers for every other club's 'Shiny' player. Oh how we all laughed; City have a new mental owner. The fans arrived in swarms, pale faced Mancunians in Arab headwear outside the ground.

Offices across the region looked like a scene from 28 Days Later as workers dropped their pens and announced: "Sorry boss got to go, City have been bought by Arabs - I need to buy a tea-towel."

And then they signed Robinho. And the laughter track stopped.

City supporters and indeed Hughes have been dismissive of Wenger's scepticism and it is easy to label the Frenchman's sentiments more sour grapes than grave concern. However, given Wenger eschewed his board's offer of signing any number of big name-big fee players over the summer, his words perhaps carry more credence and echo a wider held concern. The Frenchman has always spent Arsenal's money like it's his own and while Gunners fans have often said 'spend it like it's Daniel Levy's', Wenger's stoicism in an economical climate of uncertainty is reassuring. When black can easily turn to red, it's to his credit that he's not been playing roulette with one of football's longest-standing and classiest institutions.

That's not to suggest City are on course for financial ruin. Wenger has stated his concern over what remains of a club's carcass when the bones have been picked and a playboy has had his fill, but today's Premier League owners are not the charlatan rogues of Michael Knighton yesteryear but billionaires. Not millionaires, it's billionaire or bust these days. Why enter a relationship where success and failure is judged on a weekly basis - in front of 40,000/50,000/60,000 supporters who invest not just time and money but soul - if you're not in it for the long haul? There are plenty of ways to make a fast buck: football isn't one of them. Ego trips are a powerful phenomenon but surely that's what Ferraris are for. And gyms.

However, let us be warned that money does not always equate to smiles from dugouts to stands, grassroots to the boardroom.

What is going on at QPR with regards hiking ticket prices in Shepherds Bush is frankly disgraceful and illuminates what can happen if a football club becomes the chihuahua to its owners. The gentrification of a club steeped in working class tradition might bring success on the pitch but if the stands are filled with Naomi Campbell and Flavio's flunkies rather than aged supporters, then the birth of football's first 'boutique' club will be forever synonymous with the death of a real one. As for Mike Ashley, as Dave Whelan succinctly put it, he's a little bit odd. Less said about that one the better.

That said, while of course there is something slightly gaudy about City's spending and Robinho's signature is perhaps only the aperitif to what will follow in January, isn't that all part of the fun? After all, is there anything more depressing than those that win the lottery and announce they'll be back at work come Monday morning, enduring the daily grind that forced them to buy the ticket in the first place? Why not let the Abu Dhabi United Group have their day? The City supporters I know have never been so delighted - come next week they'll be moaning - but as they're always so keen to tell us, that's what being a Blue is all about. Anyone that has even thumbed through a copy of the club's history will be well aware that the only certainty in football is that every up is followed by a down. Even billionaires can't defy gravity and in any case, if it all goes belly up, is a trip to Moss Rose really so bad?

Comments (23)

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Jay Turnock (Arsenal fan) says...

I think the top two comments epitomise both sides of the arguments. Man City will win a trophy of some description in the next 3 yrs, ADUG really mean business and to their credit cleary know to let a football club be run by football people, a mistake often made by the money men. I enjoy the arguement about the development of young English players as its very simple. Every manager wants the best players he can get, English or not. I a 18yr old English lad is better than a 25yr old French man, the 18yr old plays. The simple fact is that we have been thin on the ground as far as English youth is concerned, notibly at Arsenal. BUT as we saw mid week Arsenal have maybe turned the corner and City have done it consitantly for years anyway (SWP, Micah Richards, Johnson, Ireland all internationals) The point is it would be great for our league to be 80% English/British but until we produce the quality of the likes of Wilshere, Walcott, Richards, Johnson much more frequently foriegners will fill the gaps.

Posted 10:26 29th September 2008

James Lackey (Manchester City fan) says...

We are always called "bitter blues" by our red neighbours from Stretford, it now seems that Arsne and his Gooners are looking to pinch our "bitter" tag. If people actually took the time to read any of the statements from our new owners they would realise that they are in it for the long haul, they want to develop the academy further and they are not going to just buy trophies, they want long term sustainable success. The big four are upset that their Champions League cartel might be broken and boy aren't they whinging about it!

Posted 10:04 28th September 2008

Kevin Jones (Manchester City fan) says...

Its way to early to see what is going to happen at City as far as transfer policy is concerned. OK we bought Robinho, But we also regularly play at least 4 acadamy lads and are constantley encouraging more. One of the 1st meetings our new owners took was with Jim Cassell our legendary Acadamy boss, and they have stressed on more than one occaision that an important part of their brief is to develop this side of MCFC. They have also stressed that Mark Hughes will have the ONLY say in the recruitment of players. His reputation for finding players and lifting their worth is 2nd only to Mr. Wenger , who I personally rate as one of the Worlds best. Our new owner and Chairman have since disavowed and distanced themselves from the earlier brash statments of Dr. Suliman, who by the way has since been mysteriously removed from the limelight. Unfortunately right now we are being branded as the new Chelsea for obvious reasons. We as City fans also have our concerns on this but I suggest everybody wait and see before rushing to judgement. One thing is for sure if Hughes can produce the same kind of football Wenger does, with the inclusion of our kids, I'll be more than Happy.

Posted 14:37 27th September 2008

John Ola (Arsenal fan) says...

Great article, but most of you are missing the point! Arsene Wenger deals in Talent and not Money, he believes talent turns into gold and not money to gold. It's easy for fans to be biased by things in the club, but let's face it would you (Man City fans) not be over the moon if Monsieur Wenger were your manager and managing your billions? Either Wenger is taken out of context or not, I won't be happy to see another Harlem football team, it would be entertaining but meaningless. The ADUG says they want to buy the best players around the world, tell me, how many English players would be there? Let's assume he succeeds, do you think they would over-run the emerging Wenger English Kids? Hey guys, let your brain talk to you, Wenger has raised the standard in English football since he landed on these shores, I have a sneaky feeling that behind the French status, he's has English ancestors!

Posted 11:07 27th September 2008

David Broomhead (Leeds United fan) says...

to M G - your comment about the youth system at man city is naive. if you think them kids will ever see the light of day in the man city first team over the new 'investments' the group make (ie the robinho's) your sadly mistaken. which epitimises a sad fact about foreign invesment .. it may make the english premier league more high profile but it ruins english football by stifling the english talent.

Posted 11:06 27th September 2008

John Ola (Arsenal fan) says...

Great article, but most of you are missing the point! Arsene Wenger deals in Talent and not Money, he believes talent turns into gold and not money to gold. It's easy for fans to be biased by things in the club, but let's face it would you (Man City fans) not be over the moon if Monsieur Wenger were your manager and managing your billions? Either Wenger is taken out of context or not, I won't be happy to see another Harlem football team, it would be entertaining but meaningless. The ADUG says they want to buy the best players around the world, tell me, how many English players would be there? Let's assume he succeeds, do you think they would over-run the emerging Wenger English Kids? Hey guys, let your brain talk to you, Wenger has raised the standard in English football since he landed on these shores, I have a sneaky feeling that behind the French status, he's has English ancestors!

Posted 11:03 27th September 2008

Mark H (Arsenal fan) says...

It's ridiculous for Man City to criticise Arsene Wenger's youth policy when it's something they pride themselves on. Arsenal have brought the likes of David Bentley, Jermaine Pennant, Ashley Cole, Justin Hoyte not to name a host of other players playing in the premiership now. whether or not they're playing for arsenal now, they were still educated by the best youth system on the planet, and would probably not be the players they are now without it. City won't finish even above Liverpool next season because you can't buy trophies anymore, as Chelsea proved last season. We will worry about our own success, as that is what you get from actually caring about what goes on at ground level rather than buying the most expensive brazilian you lay your eyes on.

Posted 10:46 27th September 2008

Keith Borrill (Arsenal fan) says...

It will be interesting to see how many English players Manchester City buy with their unlimited cash. You only buy high profile players when you are high profile spenders. Who did they buy for £32.000.000+? Forget any possibility of Manchester City becoming a leading club in the promotion of home grown talent. It will not happen. None of the big clubs in Europe can honestly say that they do not take advantage of multi national squads so please bear that in mind the next time you feel like having a go at a particular club.

Posted 09:52 27th September 2008

Dean Basnett (Manchester City fan) says...

Why does such a well written article only generate one meaningful response? (Jay D'Mellows comment was fair). This was written to provoke an argument over who brings through or plays the most home grown talent. I think it's a very good look in on what's going on just now. And I also think Arsene Wenger has earned the right to have his say, he's a fantastic manager and I find his reluctance to splash the cash in an uncertain climate admirable. A man as passionate as Wenger can only be hurting at not picking up any trophies over the past couple of years. Beware though, he's building a very good young side and a genuine title shot is looking likely this season if they can steer clear of last seasons injury list. I'm curious Alex, if you're reading your responses, did you see Lee Bradbury in a City shirt? I assume you must have to have included him when talking about such horrible times. Who'd have thought we'd ever have players the quality of Robinho 10 years on from Super Barry Conlon. Anyone remember him?

Posted 09:42 27th September 2008

Dave Fearns (pool fan) (Liverpool fan) says...

Evgeny Borsuk, excellent bit of interesting info there..thanks. Good article again by the way.

Posted 08:40 27th September 2008

Luke Hart (Arsenal fan) says...

First off, the first ever all foreign side in the premiership was under Claudio Ranieri at Chelsea, it didn't happen at Arsenal until a few years later. Secondly...are you blind? Leaving Theo Walcott aside, England's entire future rests with current or foreign arsenal players. God save Arsene Wenger.

Posted 04:15 27th September 2008

Ramzi Salhab says...

I'd just like to get something straight with Nigel. Arsenal's stadium is in fact called the Emirates Stadium...Fly Emirates is an AIRLINE and they are the main SPONSOR of Arsenal FC...not owners...AIG(Man Utd) are american...Samsung(Chelsea) are korean....so i dont think there is a problem with foreign sponsers and as far as the England team is concerned....its currently under development at the Emirates Stadium...

Posted 00:13 27th September 2008

Joe Blackholm (Arsenal fan) says...

John Yates, what are you talking about? Arsenal might not be the most english sie in the premier league but their english players are usually good. Lets see why don't we; first off Ca$hley Cole, I don't like the player but he was top class and used to be called the best left back in the world and where did he come from, oh, Arsenal. And if you go further back there is Tony Adams, Martin Keown and others. I know Arsenal don't have many English players at the moment, but watch out in 10 years 'cause Jack Wilshere, Henri Landsbury and CO. are coming and well become an intergeral part of the English squad. Rant over.

Posted 00:09 27th September 2008

Noah Holland (Arsenal fan) says...

Tremendously well-written article. I wish I knew who wrote it...Whoever it is, Sky needs to give him/her more work.

Posted 23:17 26th September 2008

Jay D'mellow (Arsenal fan) says...

"He should worry about his own clubs lack of recent success and leave us to worry about ours." Top of the table mate, and that's without the kind of money that City, United & Chelsea have. All done by bringing up youngsters to play the Arsenal way. You only have to look at this weeks 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield to see the impact of Wengers management. In a few years, the England team will be comprised almost entirely of current and ex Arsenal players, see if you still feel the same way then.

Posted 20:07 26th September 2008

Milton Moro (Arsenal fan) says...

Great article, enjoyed reading. Wenger's immdediate responses to the takeover were originally answers to someone elses questions. Now they are being made to look like provocation. I dont think he's being scornful. Anyway, wheres Fergie's opinion in all of this, he's the man we need to hear from!

Posted 18:56 26th September 2008

John Yates (Manchester City fan) says...

It's amazing how Wenger has concerns about English football when he has done more to undermine it than anyone else. Wasn't he the first manager to play an all foreign team? How many English players have come through his academy to play in the first team? I can't think of a single one. Keep your unwanted hypocracy to yourself please Mr. Whinger.

Posted 17:26 26th September 2008

M G (Manchester City fan) says...

Lewis Cornish - look at City's first team... Hart, Richards, Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Sturridge. All English and (Hart aside) through our Academy and there are plenty more from the FA Youth Cup champions still to come. If you don't know who they are yet... you soon will.

Posted 17:25 26th September 2008

Talha L (Arsenal fan) says...

This is not an article about Arsene's foreign players (though can i point out we had seven English players in the squad midweek) it is about foreign ownership, so Wenger is not being hypocritical, he is simply voicing his opinion, something he reserves the right to do and something I look forward to seeing as he is one of the most brilliant minds in the footballing world at the moment. So could the fickle Man City fans keep such ignorant and false opinions to themselves.

Posted 17:17 26th September 2008

Nigel Timperley says...

Entertaining, even erudite, but I'm left thinking - what IS your point?? As far as I can see, what you're saying is that every dog has its day, or money can't buy you happines, or arsene wenger is right about overseas investors, or something. Funny, what was the name of arsenal's stadium again?

Posted 16:42 26th September 2008
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