Manchester City Football Club is one of the most successful in the Premier League. The English side has experienced significant success in the last 20 years, particularly since the 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour's Abu Dhabi United Group. The English side has the strongest economy when compared to other clubs in the Premier League, thanks to the owner of the club and the sporting project. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed acquired City in the year 2008 with the help of his Dubai United Group, which invested £210 million. The takeover by the high-net-worth individual turned the tables completely for Manchester City, which was considered a mid-table team before the huge investment amount was injected. And now the English club is known for its success, which looks impossible to replicate by others, at least short term.
Who Owns Manchester City?
Manchester City is owned by the organisation named City Football Group, or famously known by the acronym CFG, in which the highest number of shares is held (81%) by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The minority shareholders are Silver Lake (18%) and other investors from the United States and China, who collectively own the remaining shares. The shareholding pattern did not change drastically and showed no signs of conflict since the City Group owned the majority shares in the year 2008.
Manchester City Key Management Personnel
The table below shows the main people in charge of Manchester City and those who help run the club smoothly.
Position
Name
Chairman
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
Chief Executive Officer
Ferran Soriano
Sporting Director
Txiki Begiristain
Manager
Pep Guardiola
Manchester City Key Management Personnel
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Who is Manchester City Owner - Sheikh Mansour
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Man City owner, is a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. 1970-born Sheikh Mansour is also the half-brother of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which shows how influential he is or can be. Sheikh Mansour, who owns Manchester City through his Abu Dhabi United Group, has transformed the club into a football giant since acquiring it in 2008. Beyond the football business, the Man City owner chairs several UAE based companies like Mubadala Investment Company, and has investments in Virgin Galactic and media ventures like Sky News Arabia.
Sheikh Mansour Source of Income
Sheikh Mansour's wealth comes largely from his leadership roles in major financial institutions and investments across various sectors like space travel, sports, and media. The owner of Man City Football Club also chairs the Mubadala Investment Company, which manages a £250 billion portfolio, and also leads the Abu Dhabi United Group, the owner of Manchester City. In addition, he serves as chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority and the UAE Central Bank, further strengthening the wealth of the owner of Man City Football Club.
Sheikh Mansour Net Worth
The table below shows Sheikh Mansour net worth and how it has grown over the past few years. Please note that these numbers are only estimates and may not be completely accurate.
Year
Net Worth (USD)
Source
2020
$30 billion
Celebrity Net Worth
2021
$30 billion
Forbes
2022
$30-40 billion
Finty
2023
$30 billion
Financial Express, GQ India
2024
$40 billion
Sheikhs Net Worths
2025
$21 billion
Glusea
Sheikh Mansour Net Worth
Note 1: Estimates vary across sources due to the private nature of Sheikh Mansour's finances and differing valuation methods. Note 2: Sheikh Mansour's 2025 net worth is just a projection of his net worth and not the actual figure, as the year is not completed.
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Other Sports Teams Owned by Sheikh Mansour
Sheikh Mansour through his organisations owns significant stakes in various football clubs like New York City FC (USA), Melbourne City FC (Australia), Mumbai City FC (India), Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan), Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay), Girona FC (Spain), Troyes (France), Lommel SK (Belgium), Bahia (Brazil), Istanbul Basaksehir (Turkey), Shenzhen Peng City (China), and Palermo (Italy). The network of clubs built by City Football Group (CFG) allows them to share football knowledge, whether it's technical or tactical and experience across teams while keeping each club’s local identity. This helps grow football worldwide and creates more business opportunities. Sheikh Mansour also leads Al Jazira Sports Company, which owns Al Jazira Club in the UAE Pro League.
Man City Owners History: From Past to Present
In the early years, Manchester City faced financial instability and frequently changed owners. From 1894 to 1973, the club was owned by various local investors, followed by Peter Swales, who led the club from 1973 to 1994. However, financial struggles and poor on-field results continued. In the mid-90s, local businessmen John Wardle and David Makin took over. From 1994 to 2007, they tried to revive the financial and on-pitch record of the club but were unable to push the club back on winning ways. They managed the club until Thaksin Shinawatra bought it in 2007.
His ownership was short-lived, lasting just one year. In 2008, the Abu Dhabi United Group purchased Manchester City from Shinawatra for £210 million. Since then, the English club has seen massive growth both off and on the pitch. Under Sheikh Mansour, who owns Manchester City and many other clubs around the globe right now, City has become one of the most successful clubs in Premier League history, winning 10 league titles in total, 8 of which came during his era, thanks to smart investments in players and infrastructure.
Owner Name
Tenure
Local Investors (Various)
1894–1973
Peter Swales
1973–1994
John Wardle & David Makin
1994–2007
Thaksin Shinawatra
2007–2008
Sheikh Mansour (Abu Dhabi United Group)
2008–Present
Man City Owners History: From Past t
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Manchester City?
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Manchester City is owned by Sheikh Mansour through the Abu Dhabi United Group.
2. What role does the ownership play in the club’s success?
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The owners have played a major role by investing in top players, world-class facilities, and a strong management structure to build a winning team.
3. Is City Football Group involved with other clubs too?
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Yes, City Football Group owns or has stakes in several clubs around the world, forming a global football network to develop talent and share resources.
4. Has Manchester City faced any controversies related to ownership?
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Like many top clubs, City has faced questions around financial regulations, but the ownership continues to support the team and infrastructure strongly.