Manchester City chairman admits transfer mistakes after disappointing season

In the context of the 2024-25 football season, Manchester City experienced a challenging year that fell short of their usual high standards. The club struggled to defend their Premier League title successfully and faced an early exit from the Champions League, leading to a season with only the Community Shield as silverware. Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the chairman of Manchester City, reflected on this performance, indicating that the club's lack of proactive measures in the transfer market last summer contributed significantly to their disappointing outcome. Only a limited number of players were brought in, including the notable signing of Savinho for £30.8 million, while experienced player Ilkay Gundogan returned. This insufficient reinforcement was highlighted as a critical issue, particularly given notable player departures, including forward Julian Alvarez. To address their shortcomings, Manchester City’s leadership opted to enter the transfer market during January, acquiring four players at a combined cost exceeding £172 million. Khaldoon noted that such actions were atypical for the club, which typically prefers to operate during the summer transfer window unless faced with urgent needs. He remarked that the January acquisitions were indicative of the need for immediate improvements and a clear shift in strategy towards rebuilding the squad. The club's ambitions extend into the upcoming summer, with Khaldoon emphasizing a desire to finalize transfer dealings before the Club World Cup, which commences on June 18. During his end-of-season interviews, he expressed determination to revamp the squad based on meticulously identified targets and a well-structured approach, aiming to ensure that the team is adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. Khaldoon reiterated his optimism for the future, stating that the club aims to learn from their previous experiences and improve its performance landscaping going forward, focusing on returning to the high standards expected of Manchester City. He reassured fans and stakeholders that the club would undertake every possible action to elevate its performance levels to what has historically been recognized as its capabilities.