Jesse Marsch, the ex-boss of Leeds United, has claimed that the financial manipulations at Manchester City have been an open secret.
The club is currently facing allegations of 115 breaches of financial regulations, with accusations suggesting that their owners inflated sponsorship payments illegally. Manchester City vehemently denies any wrongdoing and has committed to challenging these claims.
Marsch, who managed Leeds from 2022 to 2023, shared his insights during a revealing interview with The Guardian.
"I believe Manchester City should face severe punishment. They should be relegated, and by the way, everyone was aware of it. Everyone knew. Back in the summer of 2022, we and Manchester City were the only clubs that claimed we made money. We actually did, having sold talents like Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips to City. We had plenty left over from player transactions. At that time, we weren't in a financial position to be lavish. Our owners didn't have deep pockets. So when Manchester City made their claims, I literally thought: Are you kidding me? This is a joke? When they said they signed Erling Haaland for £52 million, it was like: Yeah, right! I sensed discrepancies, but what can you do? You just shrug and say: This is football.
In addition to the potential for relegation, the club faces the looming threat of heavy fines. Financial expert Kieran Maguire believes that City could face a significant points deduction.
"We have precedents from Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Leicester City, all of whom overspent and suffered points deductions. The logic is that spending beyond your means provides an unfair advantage on the pitch, and that advantage should be punished in the form of points lost.
With Manchester City's breaches occurring over an extensive period, multiple wrongdoings are expected to lead to a substantial points dock. Reports suggest that initially three points would be deducted, with an additional point for every £6.5 million overspent. This means the deductions could potentially escalate.
The key question then becomes: Did you cooperate with the investigation? It's assumed they likely did not, which could mean further deductions. If all allegations are proven accurate post-appeal, I anticipate around 50 to 60 points could be deducted. If it exceeds 70 points, they would essentially be relegated.
From a dramatic standpoint—though I understand the commission isn’t concerned with the narrative—if City received a 50-point deduction, they'd be left with a negative 35 points, with 33 games remaining. That could lead to a thrilling storyline, where they might try to stave off relegation in a miraculous escape. I think the players' mentality and everything surrounding it would be captivating. But that’s Hollywood; it's not about what’s appropriate.
