How are we all feeling about our club today?

[brummie blue]

My feeling for the club haven't changed one bit, they are my team, always have been, always will be. As Noel Gallagher once said, I've loved City longer than anything else in my life except my parents.

However, the clubs Owner, Chairman and senior management need tell us who thought getting involved in this debacle was a good idea, and why. That person or persons has tarnished the brilliant work they've done since taking over the club.

 

[andyhinch]

My feeling for the club haven't changed one bit, they are my team, always have been, always will be. As Noel Gallagher once said, I've loved City longer than anything else in my life except my parents.

However, the clubs Owner, Chairman and senior management need tell us who thought getting involved in this debacle was a good idea, and why. That person or persons has tarnished the brilliant work they've done since taking over the club.

The why is the big question, not sure we’ll ever hear the full story.

 

[ROCKET80]

Fantastic, considered post as ever Chris.

Point 4 is interesting. I think I agree with what you've said but if they have been so intent on damging us, then why throw us a lifeline? It's not like Sheikh Mansour needs the money. So credibility probably plays some part, maybe protecting the investment he's made in the club. Who knows?

One theory is that one reason they needed us and Chelsea was to protect themselves from PL action, which needs a two-thirds majority. That's 14 clubs, so 6 clubs against the other 14 is no guarantee of protection unless they had the nod from one or two others that they wouldn't vote to expel the 6. Both Burnley and Fulham have US owners and Shaheed Khan, like the other 3 US owners, has interests in NFL and the PL. No Super League would ever include those two clubs of course but there may have been other incentives offered. It also might explain the timing, before Fulham depart the PL as now it now seems inevitable they will.

It also wouldn't surprise me that we were put in a position where we had to decide quickly whether we were in or out but I would be surpised if we hadn't a clear picture of what was going on for some time. I suspect we had to sign the letter of intent as a condition of hearing the details of the contract and if what you've heard about the timing is true, that fits with the leak to Ziegler over the weekend. I can't imagine that was anyone other than us who did brief him and that it was a deliberate attempt to cause as much chaos as possible. That would lead me to think that we really never had any intention of doing this, rather than that we went into it without realising what the PR impact would be, which cheers me up.

I know from sources within and without the club how much animosity the US-owned clubs have displayed towards us, and I believe it's reciprocated. These clubs, and others, have threatened our very existence and gone out of their way to achieve that aim.

Time will tell if it's been a cunning conspiracy or a cock-up but I'd like to think we saw a heaven-sent opportunity to hit our rivals hard and we took it.

Both you and Chris make very good points.

I agree I think we signed up last minute to hedge our bets but I'd add we (and others) did not expect an announcement so soon, everything about it looks so amateur. I can't accept that City would not have wanted to be all over the details and communication plan not only to the wider audience but to the management team and players, we're so slick with that, that I can't see how we'd drop a bollock on this.

That leads me to believe we've been (and possibly other clubs) blindsided by the announcement.

I think we've backed out due mainly to striking a deal with UEFA. As has been opined on here, we were included to ensure there was no expulsion from the Premier League (keep your friends close and your enemies even closer). Being kicked out of their respective leagues with no sponsors on board and no TV deal for the Super League would have left those clubs high and dry.

Had they had an actual plan, with sponsors and a TV deal in place, clubs fully signed up and committed, management and players briefed and there was an all singing, all dancing official announcement with representatives of all clubs in attendance then it'd be still going ahead.

 

[Bluekiwi]

Dear Supporter,

I am writing to you regarding the events of the past few days.

I am sorry it has taken a little time, but the circumstances have been somewhat exceptional and it was important to me to contact you directly.

As you know, Manchester City has formally enacted the procedures to withdraw from the group developing plans for a European Super League.

As always, when we make choices and decisions, we do so with the best interests of the Club in mind and we believed that being part of such an initiative could give us a voice that might be imperative to our future ability to succeed and grow.

However, in making that choice we failed to remind ourselves of the unbreakable link between the passion of our fans and the right to have the opportunity to earn success. It is a truth that is fundamental to the DNA of Manchester City and the Board deeply regrets taking a decision that lost sight of the historic values of the Club. We made a mistake and we sincerely apologise to our fans for the disappointment, frustration and anguish caused by the last 72 hours.

I want to personally assure you that the Owners, Chairman, Board and staff are completely committed to ensuring that the club continues to contribute meaningfully to the ongoing well-being of both the English and European football pyramids and their associated competitions. We will embrace the opportunity to earn back the full trust of our stakeholders and the football family in general.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and I extend my thanks to you for your continued support.

I look forward to welcoming you back to the Etihad Stadium as soon as circumstances allow.

Yours sincerely

Ferran Soriano, CEO

If that had apeared in my Inbox I would have ignored it - why? Because it wasn't addressed to me personally and I treat messages that appear to be "to whom it may concern" as SCAM.

 

[hateutd]

Answers after the league cup final....

 

[M12Blue]

Your Girlfriend has a one night stand.

To cope with getting over it , you,and your girlfriend 100% blame her best mate for not watching her.

It happened to you too ;)
Agree

 

[bluefandk]

Better.

 

[Sir peace frog]

My emotions on this flip with whatever I read, I've just read chris and Prestwich_Blue posts and am a little more forgiving this morning, also with the perez comments that we were responsible for damaging it from the inside, maybe we had to be on the inside to fuck it off

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Just reading Soriano's email and can't make sense of this sentence:

However, in making that choice we failed to remind ourselves of the unbreakable link between the passion of our fans and the right to have the opportunity to earn success.

What does that mean? I'm assuming it's to do with sporting integrity, and that you have to earn success not have it handed to you without effort. But when has success ever been a factor in our passion for City?

 

[OB1]

It’s precisely because it’s not a crime that I wouldn’t want a punishment.

I get you are fine but others are not and want to make sure this doesn’t happen again. After trying to form a league which went against sporting merit and was condemned by Pep and the players it’s not crazy to ask for the club to address the supporters at some point. We are part of this club.

I'm sure we will eventually hear more from the club but they probably have to be very careful what they say until the legal formalities of withdrawing have been completed and even then they may want or need to keep certain things confidential.

Not sure what people are expecting to hear but the reason(s) City got involved was pretty plain and obvious from the off when stories of us being the last to join quickly emerged. The Perez comments being reported today reinforce it.

Changes are needed in how the game is run and City should not be afraid to push for or explore options but I'm sure they will be more minded than ever to keep what supporters want in mind.

Meanwhile, all I am interested in is seeing how many trophies we can win this season.