Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke to club media about what to expect for the 2026/27 season.
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given his annual interview
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has given his annual interview
View Image
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak declared that Pep Guardiola's departure would not put an end to the club's golden era as they target more trophies under incoming manager Enzo Maresca. Having won 20 trophies in the last ten years with Guardiola, his exit is not being seen as knocking the club off their stride.
After a disappointing campaign in the 2024/25 season, City bounced back in style last year to win two domestic cups - beating Arsenal and Chelsea in the respective finals - as well as taking the Premier League title race to the final week. Having reached expectations in three out of four competitions, the Blues are confident that the changes made to the squad over the last 18 months will allow them to be even better next season.
And while Guardiola's exit will be welcomed by rivals who have grown sick of the way City have dominated English football for a decade under him, Al Mubarak warned them against celebrating too early as City plot more success. The chairman is confident that they have made the best choice for their next manager.
"We’ve gone through a very thoughtful and structured process and the team is convinced – and I am convinced, rest assured – that we will bring in the right manager for this club," he told club media. "Just be patient with us. Very soon we’ll announce it and you will be very comfortable that we have selected and brought in the best manager possible for this club.
“We are far from peaked. Eighteen years, I look at where the club was in 2008, and then I look at every part of these last 18 years. Roberto Mancini brought that first Premier League title to this club, we will never forget those moments, it was a great period then, a first FA Cup win in many, many years.
"And then Manuel [Pellegrini] came in, same thing, another Premier League title and more success. And then Pep came in, and it was getting that mindset, that DNA of a winning club. And now, this club is the way we all know it right now. We are used to, because it’s in our DNA, winning. This is a club that is designed, built to win. What Pep has given us has taken us to the next level, and I think we’re so thankful for what he’s helped build here.”