City Football Group (CFG) has become a dominant force in professional football since its establishment in 2013.
They have masterfully expanded their influence on the sport across the globe by adding a diverse selection of clubs to their portfolio.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Abu Dhabi United Group bought Manchester City in 2008 and founded CFG five years later.
The 53-year-old Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holds an 81% stake in CFG.
Their business model integrates financial investment with operational expertise to enhance the performance of its clubs and expand their global reach.
Manchester City
Sheikh Mansour bought Man City from Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for around £210 million and has pumped billions into the club since then.
City have clinched eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, six League Cups, the Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup under his ownership.
His decision to hire Pep Guardiola as manager in 2016 was a masterstroke. City had enjoyed success under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini, but the Spaniard took them to the next level.
Guardiola has since turned the Premier League into a monopoly. City have won four consecutive Premier League titles and it would be no surprise if they made it five in a row in 2024/25.
Man City’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of football has sparked an influx of Arab fans. This surge in support is linked to the club’s Abu Dhabi ownership.
The rising Arab support for Man City has also led to a spike in betting activity on the club. City are hugely popular on the trusted betting sites listed at https://www.arabswin.com/ and have delivered plenty of big wins for Arab punters.
Their dominance means they will likely continue to be a focal point for betting activities, with punters confident in the team’s ability to win silverware.
Girona FC
CFG expanded its footprint into Spain to jointly acquired Girona Football Club in 2017. The Catalan club has become another testimony of the CFG leadership prowess.
They initially bought a 44.3% stake but have since upped their shares to 47%, making themselves the biggest single owner of Girona. The club had just climbed into the top flight for the first time in its 87-year history before CFG got the deal over the line.
Girona initially yoyoed between the first and second division but recently established themselves in La Liga.
The appointment of Michel as manager in 2021 proved to be a turning point for the club. The 48-year-old had led Rayo Vallecano and Huesca into La Liga and brought that magic to Girona.
After securing promotion to La Liga at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Michel and Girona defied expectations, finishing comfortably in mid-table the following season.
Their 2023/24 was unforgettable as they finished third in La Liga, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
The club has benefited from CFG’s resources and insights, which have played a crucial role in its competitive performance.
The presence of former City players and loaned talents further highlights the interconnected nature of CFG’s clubs and their influence on Girona’s success.
CFG’s Global Network
CFG’s multi-team network includes 13 clubs worldwide, each reflecting the group’s vision.
They acquired a club in the biggest city in the United States in 2013, establishing New York City FC. CFG paid a $100 million expansion fee to join Major League Soccer (MLS).
They have become a mainstay in the MLS, even clinching the title in 2021. Despite finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC defied the odds in the play-offs to claim victory.
Melbourne City FC has thrived under CFG’s ownership in Australia since 2015, winning the Australia Cup in 2016 and the A-League Men Championship in 2021. They won the A-League Men’s Premiership for three consecutive seasons between 2021 and 2023.
Yokohama F Marinos in Japan, who have been under CFG since 2014, secured J1 League titles in 2019 and 2022 as CFG demonstrated their ability to imprint a winning formula across different continents.
CFG acquired Mumbai City FC in 2019, and it has been another success story. The club won the Indian Super League title in 2024 and has added other domestic and regional trophies.
The group took over Sichuan Jiuniu in China in 2019 and converted the club’s name to Shenzhen Peng City Football Club. They recently achieved promotion to the Chinese Super League.
Other notable clubs in CFG’s network include Lommel SK in Belgium and Troyes in France, showcasing CFG’s broad reach across European football.
CFG’s investments in these clubs underline its approach to global football, leveraging expertise and resources to encourage competitive success and enhance its international presence.
