Latest news with #IlkayGundogan
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Man City should have been more aggressive with transfers last summer
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has conceded the club were not 'aggressive' enough in the transfer market last summer. City endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign by their high standards, failing to mount a strong defence of their Premier League title and exiting the Champions League before the last 16. Advertisement Khaldoon now accepts the club should have done more to strengthen the squad before the campaign. City failed to live up to expectations in 2024-25 (Nick Potts/PA) The £30.8million signing Savinho and the return of veteran Ilkay Gundogan were the only major incoming deals last summer, while key forward Julian Alvarez was among those to depart. Speaking in his annual end-of-season interview, Khaldoon told the club's website: 'This year is another year where I think when I look back, last summer, we probably should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do. 'We didn't do that and that ended up costing us this year.' Advertisement City's underwhelming start to the season forced them to enter the transfer market in January and hastily bring in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez at a combined cost of more than £172million. The squad regeneration will continue this summer, with the club hoping to make additions before the start of the Club World Cup. City's first match in that tournament is on June 18. Khaldoon said: 'We already started that rebuild of this team in January. Normally we like to do our business in the summer and, only in case of emergency, a special need that comes up, do we actually go and do business in January. 'That's been our MO at least for the last seven or eight years – but this January we had to act.' Advertisement He added: 'That's four players in January, and that gives you an idea of what's coming this summer because we will continue. 'We have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option. 'And we'll go about our business and it will be very clear, very swift. And our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.' Omar Marmoush was among the January arrivals at the Etihad Stadium (Martin Rickett/PA) City's disappointments this term included defeat in the FA Cup final, leaving the Community Shield as their only silverware from the campaign. Advertisement Khaldoon said: 'We will be back. This season is a season that's now behind us. Today is a new day. We start working and preparing for next season. 'We will take all the good things and the not so good things from this season and learn from it and improve from it and get better. 'I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve and that we know, we will achieve.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Manchester City chairman sets out summer transfer plans: ‘We will be back'
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has conceded the club were not 'aggressive' enough in the transfer market last summer. City endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign by their high standards, failing to mount a strong defence of their Premier League title and exiting the Champions League before the last 16. Khaldoon now accepts the club should have done more to strengthen the squad before the campaign. The £30.8m signing Savinho and the return of veteran Ilkay Gundogan were the only major incoming deals last summer, while key forward Julian Alvarez was among those to depart. Speaking in his annual end-of-season interview, Khaldoon told the club's website: 'This year is another year where I think when I look back, last summer, we probably should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do. 'We didn't do that and that ended up costing us this year.' City's underwhelming start to the season forced them to enter the transfer market in January and hastily bring in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez at a combined cost of more than £172million. The squad regeneration will continue this summer, with the club hoping to make additions before the start of the Club World Cup. City's first match in that tournament is on 18 June. Khaldoon said: 'We already started that rebuild of this team in January. Normally we like to do our business in the summer and, only in case of emergency, a special need that comes up, do we actually go and do business in January. 'That's been our MO at least for the last seven or eight years – but this January we had to act.' He added: 'That's four players in January, and that gives you an idea of what's coming this summer because we will continue. 'We have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option. 'And we'll go about our business and it will be very clear, very swift. And our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.' City's disappointments this term included defeat in the FA Cup final, leaving the Community Shield as their only silverware from the campaign. Khaldoon said: 'We will be back. This season is a season that's now behind us. Today is a new day. We start working and preparing for next season. 'We will take all the good things and the not so good things from this season and learn from it and improve from it and get better. 'I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve and that we know, we will achieve.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Man City should have been more aggressive with transfers last summer
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has conceded the club were not 'aggressive' enough in the transfer market last summer. City endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign by their high standards, failing to mount a strong defence of their Premier League title and exiting the Champions League before the last 16. Khaldoon now accepts the club should have done more to strengthen the squad before the campaign. The £30.8million signing Savinho and the return of veteran Ilkay Gundogan were the only major incoming deals last summer, while key forward Julian Alvarez was among those to depart. Speaking in his annual end-of-season interview, Khaldoon told the club's website: 'This year is another year where I think when I look back, last summer, we probably should have been more aggressive in some of the changes we needed to do. 'We didn't do that and that ended up costing us this year.' City's underwhelming start to the season forced them to enter the transfer market in January and hastily bring in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez at a combined cost of more than £172million. The squad regeneration will continue this summer, with the club hoping to make additions before the start of the Club World Cup. City's first match in that tournament is on June 18. Khaldoon said: 'We already started that rebuild of this team in January. Normally we like to do our business in the summer and, only in case of emergency, a special need that comes up, do we actually go and do business in January. 'That's been our MO at least for the last seven or eight years – but this January we had to act.' He added: 'That's four players in January, and that gives you an idea of what's coming this summer because we will continue. 'We have clearly identified who exactly are the targets, in what positions, and we have our clear number one option, our clear number two option. 'And we'll go about our business and it will be very clear, very swift. And our objective is to try to be ready with the new squad for the Club World Cup.' City's disappointments this term included defeat in the FA Cup final, leaving the Community Shield as their only silverware from the campaign. Khaldoon said: 'We will be back. This season is a season that's now behind us. Today is a new day. We start working and preparing for next season. 'We will take all the good things and the not so good things from this season and learn from it and improve from it and get better. 'I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve and that we know, we will achieve.'
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle secure UCL
Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle secured places in next season's Champions League as Liverpool celebrated with the Premier League trophy after a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in Sunday's dramatic final round. A record-equalling 20th league title for Liverpool and relegation for Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton had long since been decided, leaving the focus of attention on the battle for European places. Liverpool and Arsenal had already secured their place in the Champions League by finishing in the top two, while Tottenham will join them after winning the Europa League on Wednesday. City ensured a disappointing season did not end in disastrous fashion by qualifying for Europe's top competition for the 15th consecutive season by beating Fulham 2-0 to finish third. Ilkay Gundogan's overhead kick from close range put Pep Guardiola's men in front before Erling Haaland secured the points for the visitors from the penalty spot. "It's not perfect, but we'll be in Europe next season in the Champions League," said Guardiola. Chelsea ended Nottingham Forest's dreams of a first appearance in the Champions League since they were European champions back in 1980. Levi Colwill tapped in Pedro Neto's cross for the Blues' goal in a 1-0 win at the City Ground to secure fourth place for Chelsea. "We brought this club where it has to be," said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Forest have to settle for seventh and a place in the UEFA Conference League. Newcastle narrowly avoided throwing away their place in the top five after losing 1-0 at home to Everton. Carlos Alcaraz's header earned the Toffees victory on Tyneside. However, the Magpies finished fifth on goal difference after Aston Villa were controversially beaten 2-0 at Manchester United. Villa's hopes were dented when goalkeeper Emi Martinez was sent off just before half-time for bringing down Rasmus Hojlund outside his box. Yet the visitors thought they had taken the lead at Old Trafford only for Morgan Rogers' effort to be ruled out for kicking the ball out of the hands of Altay Bayindir. Villa were furious at the call and were hit with a sucker punch moments later when Amad Diallo headed in Bruno Fernandes' cross. Christian Eriksen's penalty sealed the win as United finished the campaign in 15th. A place in the Europa League is Villa's consolation for finishing sixth. Palace spoil Liverpool party There was a mutual guard of honour at Anfield as Palace paid homage to Liverpool before the hosts repaid the favour to mark the Eagles' FA Cup victory over City last weekend. Liverpool's last title celebrations in 2020 took place in front of an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, meaning it was the first time in 35 years they could celebrate lifting the trophy in front of the Reds' support. "It's always special to win something, but at certain clubs maybe a little bit more," said Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his first return to Anfield since an emotional farewell 12 months ago. Palace, though, spoiled the party when Ismaila Sarr slotted home the opening goal after just nine minutes. Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch was sent off in the second half but the 10 men still secured a point thanks to Mohamed Salah's deflected leveller. Tottenham suffered a hangover from their Europa League celebrations as Brighton came from behind to win 4-1 and secure eighth place. A double from Jack Hinshelwood, Matt O'Riley's penalty and Diego Gomez condemned Spurs to a 22nd league defeat of the season and a 17th-placed finish. Arsenal needed an 89th-minute winner from Martin Odegaard to beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton 2-1.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We'll definitely bounce back'
Ilkay Gundogan is "very confident" Manchester City can "bounce back" in 2025-26 after finishing this season in stronger form. Pep Guardiola's side racked up nine Premier League defeats, equalling their record for most league defeats in a season during the Spaniard's reign. But when it mattered most, City started to look stronger and finished the season in third with 21 wins from their 38 matches. "It feels like the season was so long, with a lot of up and down things," said Gundogan. "Not just with the team, but everyone individually as well. "Obviously everyone went through the struggles. I feel like now at the end of the season the feeling is positive in the way we've performed in the past two months since the last international break. "Since we returned, we won most of the games and got a lot of points. If we were able to perform in that way throughout the whole season it would be a completely different outcome for us in the end. "That's the target for next year, to learn from all the mistakes in the campaign, to take that last couple of months as the standard and expectation going into the Club World Cup and the next Premier League season. "I'm very confident that if we're able to do that, we'll definitely bounce back and be in competition for the Premier League title. "These are the standards that this team, this club has set over the past few years, the past decade. Unfortunately nothing less than that is enough in a very competitive Premier League."
