210-appearance former Manchester City star admits faking Real Madrid transfer interest to secure contract extension

Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has admitted to faking transfer interest from Real Madrid in an attempt to secure a pay rise in east Manchester.

The 36-year-old, who has turned to punditry for a range of major broadcasting outlets following retirement, made over 200 appearances for Manchester City between 2006 and 2015, winning four trophies including the Premier League title in 2012 and FA Cup in 2011.

The defender made his first-team debut in October 2005 against Arsenal at Highbury, with Richards famously making his England senior debut at the age of 17, having initially moved to Manchester City at just 14-years-old.

Richards enjoyed 10 campaigns in east Manchester, and scored his first goal in February 2006, heading in a last-gasp corner to earn a 1–1 draw away to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The full-back played under six different managers during his time with the Sky Blues, featuring prominently under trio Roberto Mancini, Mark Hughes and Stuart Pearce.

As well as being part of the Manchester City side which famously won both the FA Cup and Premier League under Mancini, Richards also lifted the Premier League trophy and League Cup trophy while being managed by Pellegrini.

Richards retired from football in 2019, and spent time playing at both Aston Villa and Fiorentina upon leaving Manchester City in June 2015.

The 36-year-old has sensationally revealed that he faked transfer interest from Real Madrid to help secure a Manchester City contract extension during a recent episode of on The Rest Is Football podcast however.

“I was getting a new contract, had just made my debut for England, and all that. We were about five grand-a-week away [during negotiations], so I said to my agent, ‘Just do a little rumour, that Real Madrid want me too.

“It was reported on: ‘Real Madrid want Micah Richards’ and whatnot. I’m not joking, two days later I signed a deal with Man City. I’m not saying it worked, but…”

Richards’ time is now spent doing aforementioned punditry work for Sky Sports, the BBC and CBS.