The Premier League just dropped a bombshell verdict this week, declaring Manchester City “guilty of all charges related to serious breaches” of financial rules, stretching all the way back from 2009 to 2018. It’s a massive deal that has rocked English football. But you know who isn’t sweating it? Roberto Mancini, the former City boss and current Italy coach. He’s totally brushing it off, even after he admitted to having “a double contract” during his time managing the club. Seriously.
Mancini’s Shocker: “It’s Not a Problem That Concerns Me”
You’d think being potentially tied into a major financial scandal would make anyone at least a little bit nervous, right? Not Mancini. Ahead of Italy’s match in France, the guy was straight up asked if he was worried about the case. His response? An emphatic, “No. I already spoke it about the other night. It’s not something that concerns me. It’s City’s problem, unfortunately.” He even repeated himself, saying, “It’s not a problem that concerns me.” He then added, “Look, really. I already said it the other day in Turkey.” This is after he openly acknowledged having “a double contract” as City coach from 2009-13. Back in Turkey, he claimed, “Manchester City is not guilty and the fact of having a double contract isn’t my problem but theirs, probably.” Talk about a mic drop!
The Double Contract and City’s Deep Trouble
So, about that “double contract.” Back in 2018, German magazine Der Spiegel published evidence alleging Mancini doubled his base salary of 1.45 million pounds (that’s about $1.9 million now) for advising a club in Abu Dhabi. And The Telegraph reported this week that City is accused of potentially ducking about 12 million pounds (or $16 million) in income tax and national insurance related to Mancini’s salary. Among the laundry list of charges against City is allegedly failing to give accurate details for player and manager payments between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. It’s a mess. Mancini was the man who led City to their first major titles after the Abu Dhabi ruling family bought the club in 2008, snagging the FA Cup in 2011 and famously coaching them to their first Premier League title in half a century during the 2011-12 season. He got fired in 2013 after that shocking FA Cup final loss to Wigan.
Man City has been protesting their innocence through this whole long-running case. But that Premier League verdict on Tuesday, saying they were “guilty of all charges related to serious breaches” of financial rules? That’s a major blow, and the club confirmed Friday they’re appealing it. This thing isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and Mancini’s comments just add another wild layer to the drama.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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