Jesse Marsch, the former Leeds United head coach, has delivered his verdict on Manchester City after they were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules
Jesse Marsch
Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch (Image: Getty Images)
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Former Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has called for Manchester City to receive 'severe punishment' and be relegated to the Championship. Last week, the Premier League confirmed that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of its financial regulations between 2009/10 and 2017/18. They said that City artificially inflated revenue by more than £900million through 'sham' sponsorship deals.
City, however, have denied any wrongdoing and appealed the decision on Thursday. The club said in a statement they believe they are "innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League" and have "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their case.
Despite that, Marsch has claimed that City should be handed a punishment severe enough that would see them drop down from the Premier League this season after being found guilty. The now-Canada boss also raised questions over the how City joined Leeds in becoming the only teams to record a profit in 2022 following the sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips - labelling it "a joke", before also questioning the deal to bring Erling Haaland to Manchester.
"I think Man City should be punished severely. I think they should have to go down, and by the way, everyone knew about it. Everyone knew," said Marsch, who pointed to Everton and Nottingham Forest later being deducted points for financial issues in the same season when Leeds were relegated.
"That summer [2022], us and Man City were the only teams that said we made money. For us, we did make money, because we sold Raphinha, we sold Kalvin Phillips [to City]. We had a lot left over from what we bought. At the time, we weren’t in a position financially to not save. Our ownership didn’t have deep pockets. Whereas when Man City says this, I was literally like, 'Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?'
"When they said they got Erling Haaland for £52m, it's like: 'Yeah, OK, sure!' So, I knew there were inconsistencies in it, but what can you do? You just put your arms in the air and go, 'This is football'."
Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch
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City released a stern statement on Friday to hit back at the Premier League after they were found guilty.
"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the Club lodged its comprehensive Appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter," City said.
"The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe. The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.
"We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete."