Kieran Maguire issues ‘hardcore’ Man City verdict after ‘£55m’ reveal
Man City avoided the worst of the pandemic as they are less reliant on matchday income than their peer group.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 2022 Deloitte Football Money League.
City topped the annual survey of football’s biggest revenue generators, which was published last Sunday (20 March).
The reigning Premier League champions turned over £540million in the Covid-hit 2020-21 season, with Real Madrid in second place with £536m.
The Eithad Stadium generated £55m worth of matchday income in that period.
City’s proportionately low matchday income has meant they were not hit as hard as their rivals over the course of the season, claims Maguire.
“All clubs were impacted by the pandemic,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“But City were impacted less than other clubs because their matchday income is lower than their peer group.
“They have a more hardcore fanbase than some of those other clubs. They also tend to sell tickets at lower prices.
“If we go to 2019, which was pre-Covid, United were on £111m in matchday, City on £55m, Arsenal on £96m, Liverpool £84m, Spurs £82m.
“City start off at minus £50m compared to those other clubs. But if you take matchday away, on a relative basis, they are in a better position.
“They only generate 10 per cent of income from matchday, whereas the other clubs earn around 20 per cent.”
City are the only Premier League team to have posted a profit in 2020-21, with a £2.4m surplus.
They won the league and reached the Champions League final in the campaign.
In other news, Newcastle United tipped to emulate Man City after “phenomenal” £540m confirmed news.