Nope, they just don't get the fact that they aren't a story. 'Plain Jane trophy-wife buys another Ferrari with sugar daddy's money' is not a story.
The story of Manchester city ended when they sold their name and their soul to murderers for sports washing purposes. The deal is that the murderous regime gets a false front in a prestige sport. Eventually, the hope is that their dire public image is softened and becomes more acceptable. In return, those who don't bin it off in protest are bought some shiny things. This keeps them sweet and unquestioning. The 'fans' are basically the useful idiots who will defend the regime in order to keep getting those shiny things. In the end, you are left with immoral scumbags who are followed by more immoral scumbags. Abu Dhabi City FC is born.
From the wider perspective, any trophy they acquire is pretty meaningless. If they do acquire a trophy, it's expected because of the obscene financial doping it took to get it. It's not a story. It's just another run of the mill day at the sports washing office.
Now, cast their eyes down the East Lancs or across their own city and they see a story. When these two clubs win things, it's box office. When either of these two clubs fail, it's also box office. History, triumph, tragedy, failure, success... It really doesn't matter with these two clubs, because they are box office regardless, and you only get to that level over many decades, with all the trials and tribulations that go along with building something from nothing but in a legitimate and legal way.
Contrast this with ADCFC. Handed everything on a plate. If something doesn't work, they simply replace it. Buy, buy, buy until they get it right. Bring in the biggest chequebook manager in the world. No need to actually coach and build. It's just let someone else develop the talent then poach it. If that piece of the jigsaw doesn't cut it, you just throw it away and buy another piece. It's so, so lazy. Off the peg 'success' with no real substance. A pint that's all bubbles and no beer.
What's that, another club has just beaten us by doing it the right way and actually adhering to the rules of the sport? Ah, we must hate and despise these people. We must also buy Messi now, because we don't even care about the rules anyway, and we are more than happy to abuse the sport and those who run it. We have money, so we can do what we like. We must buy and buy and buy again until we 'win' again. We make the rules, so we will have our way.
Ha, the football world is supposed to respect and admire that.
The only time they should have a television special dedicated to them should be an investigative piece highlighting the horrors of their owners and also digging deep into their sports washing scam based in Manchester. That's where their story now lies. In murder, slavery, human rights abuse, sports washing scams, their abuse of and contempt for the game and the footballing authorities.
In the meantime, we can all sit back tomorrow night and watch a programme about a fantastic football team built by an amazing manager who oozes respect and humility. A team and a manager that did it organically and with respect for the rules of the sport. A club/team that defeated those entitled, arrogant narcissists who believe success is theirs by right just because they throw the most money at it. A real club, with a real team and a real manager that actually coaches. A title win crafted out of the ashes of almost going into administration not that many years ago. Now that's a story worth telling.
Their bile comes from knowing, deep down inside, that they aren't the real thing. They are false. They are hollow, and so is any 'success' that they purchase along the way. They'll never be respected, and nor should they be.
