Manchester City owners take global domination plan to Turkey with ‘football-focussed’ partnership agreement

The overarching business behind Manchester City have taken their global football project over to Turkey through the form of a ‘football-focussed’ partnership.

The City Football Group are the owners of current Premier League champions Manchester City, but also the majority shareholder in a further seven clubs around the world, as well as holding minority stakes in a further three.

CFG’s majority ownership involves Melbourne City, New York City FC, Mumbai City, Montevideo City Torque, ESTAC Troyes, Lommel, Palermo, and Bahia, while the group notbaly holds a 47 per cent stake in high-flying La Liga side Girona.

However, the group’s latest venture has taken them to the country that will forever be remembered as the location for Manchester City’s first ever UEFA Champions League triumph; Turkey.

As per confirmation from journalist Ben Jacobs, the City Football Group and İstanbul Başakşehir have together announced a “football-focused” partnership that will see Manchester City’s owners provide consultancy.

It is explained that such consultancy will include “strategy, player screening, transfers and process training,” while the City Football Group will also use the partnership to “increase its knowledge and develop relationships in Turkey”.

The City Group describe Turkey as an “ambitious football country and has a wide talent pool.”

Istanbul Basaksehir FK’s majority owner and club president Goksel Gumusdag reacted to the agreement with, “This collaboration with the leading football group in the world, it marks another milestone for Istanbul Basaksehir and Turkish football.”

He continued, “From the very beginning, we have reiterated at every opportunity that our vision and goals are different and today underlines this expression again. We are very happy, proud and excited.

“I would like to thank all the people in City Football Group for their approach and support in the process. I hope it will be beneficial for Basaksehir FK and Turkish football.”

Istanbul Basaksehir are currently ninth in the Turkish Super Lig and have not been relegated from Turkey’s top-flight since their formation in 2014.