Manchester City are basically a marketing toy for Etihad Airways. The name on the shirts, the stadium, the cheesy adverts promoting Abu Dhabi based companies. That's really what it's all about. That is the owners 'skin in the game'. They mainly bought them for two reasons, one being that they were cheap to buy (and the owner was desperate to sell before he went to prison), but the main factor was that they shared a location and name with Manchester United, one of the biggest sporting entity's on the planet.
They then looked around at the people who made Barcelona FC successful and made them an o££er they couldn't refuse. They call it 'the project' because that's what it is to them. A business venture, an experiment in maximising the advertising potential of their products. They couldn't care less about the core fans. They want tourists, and day trippers in Man Utd kits to come to their matches. They want people to worship false Gods, like injury prone Belgian defenders, who they build statues for??? Not for world cup heroes or Ballon d'Or winners, a statue for someone who just turned up, took the money and didn't complain!!
In the drone footage that they produced for celebrating winning the PL, they shamelessly flogged the corporate hospitality and tunnel club before showing anyone the actual PL trophy. This is who they are now. They have become the thing that they always hated. A faceless, corporate entity, built on sand. The sort of people who turn their noses up at Mancunians in the street. From the very top, to the very bottom of that club, there is not one real genuine Manchester City fan on the payroll. They are all hired hands. Pigs eating from the trough. And when they've all had their fill, they will be off for good. Only ever to return one day, slightly bemused, because some marketing dweeb in Mayfair has decided that they should have a statue made for them. "Erm...thanks guys...this is such an honour to have this pockmarked lump of metal that looks nothing like me! I will be sure to visit you all again in the next decade!"
The backlash against Guardiola today is comical. He isn't there because he loves the club, or has any sort of affinity to the fans. He's there because they pay him £18 million a season. And now that the clock is running down and he can see some light at the end of the tunnel, he's starting to let his true feelings out. He took their money, but deep down he is embarrassed by them. That is why he makes comments like he did in the interview last night. Even giving the time of the kick off on Saturday. Could you imagine any other manager saying that to their fans? He's serving out his notice, and settling a few gripes before he goes. I doubt that he will ever darken their door again. Unless they build him a statue!
