Manchester City face kit design headache ahead of Champions League final

Decision makers at Manchester City face a major headache concerning the design of their 2022/23 home shirt that could force them into a change for the upcoming European final.

Pep Guardiola and his City players face a decisive two-week period in their season, as their hunt for a historic treble reaches it’s climax as visits to Wembley Stadium and Istanbul are finally on the horizon.

Following the conclusion of the ongoing Premier League season, Manchester City take on their bitter city rivals Manchester United at Wembley in the 2023 Emirates FA Cup final, with both sides hunting their second trophy of the campaign.

Erik ten Hag’s side claimed this season’s Carabao Cup trophy in late February, while Guardiola’s squad won their third successive Premier League crown over the weekend – their fifth in the last six years under the Catalan coach.

The trip to the capital will then be followed by the monumental UEFA Champions League final, with City taking on Serie A giants Inter as they seek to win their first European crown under the new ownership.

However, decision makers and planners around the European final face a major headache concerning the design of Manchester City’s 2022/23 home shirt.

As is common practice in Champions League finals, as highlighted by the last time City featured in the showpiece European finale in 2021, kits of both clubs are marked with the details of the match in the centre of the shirt.

Two years ago, the centre of Manchester City’s home shirt featured the text: ‘FINAL PORTO 2021 / ESTADIO DO DRAGAO – 29 MAY / MANCHESTER CITY FC vs CHELSEA FC’

This season, City’s home shirt features a central badge, meaning the placement of the commemorative text could be more of a challenge, and may even force the club to wear their brand new 2023/24 kit.

Released last week, Manchester City’s brand new home shirt features a more traditional design for present day kits, with a club badge and manufacturer logo placed on the left and right of the chest area – allowing for Champions League text to be placed.

It remains to be seen what decision Manchester City will make on this front, and the possibility of text being placed on the current home shirt remains active, albeit more challenging for those in charge.