A lot of people from outside the football club would love the plug to be pulled from under City's feet and for all the oil to slip away, leaving the comedy club they had come to know. Indeed, it is fair to say City would be a bit lost if Sheikh Mansour suddenly lost interest. So, what better news than the confirmation of long term plans to improve the infrastructure around the club. The one billion pound deal will see a new training facility, a fanzone and a "world-class sports and leisure complex."
There have been murmurs of these plans for a while and the completion confirms the ADUG promises to improve every area of the club. The proposals, including a possible stadium expansion, should create one of the most impressive footballing complexes in Europe - thus improving the stature of the club off the field. One of the primary goals of Sheikh Mansour was to improve the club's status around the world and an enviable set-up would definitely go towards achieving this aim.
I visited a friend who lives in the UAE recently and it is clear that there is a huge push at the moment from Abu Dhabi to increase its reputation across the world, particularly as it feels it has been overshadowed by the flash overspending of its neighbour, Dubai. My friend said there is a real enthusiasm for sport growing in the emirate and this is reflected by recent investments from within Abu Dhabi - City, the Yas Marina F1 complex, Ferrari, and even the possibility of an IPL team, just to name a few. The rulers in Abu Dhabi want the emirate to be world-renowned for its achievements in sport and their ambition to make City a major power in the world's most popular sport would certainly achieve that.
It will take time, but it is reassuring to see another sign from the owners of this commitment. Long may it continue!
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