Relegation Would Ruin Manchester City

Relegation Would Ruin Manchester City

Man City faces a points deduction that could guarantee their relegation from the Premier League regardless of on field performances, according to journalist Oliver Holt.

Holt has had correct insider knowledge on City in the past, reporting former manager Pep Guardiola’s departure last season before it was publicly announced by the club. 

If the point deduction is as severe as predicted, Man City’s season would be over immediately. The EFL Championship would be a guarantee, with a possible further relegation into lower leagues depending on how the deduction is split up. 

Relegation to a lower division would completely decimate the club. Man City has built a reputation as a constant presence in the Premier League title picture and the Champions League. That reputation is what draws new transfers in, and allows them to outspend competitors.

Relegation would all but get rid of that completely. Some reports suggest City could even be forced to stay in the Championship for a minimum of two years, completely eliminating the possibility of an immediate promotion. 

The Premier League could go even further and force owner Sheikh Mansour to sell the club if they deem the club is run in a way that is “neither fit, fair, or done with propriety.” 

Manchester City would likely have to start from the ground up if relegation occurs. City is one of the highest earning clubs in the world, making an approximate $931 million in 2024/2025, only second to Liverpool. The total revenue from the Championship was $1.2 billion in 2024/2025, averaging out to $52 million per club.

That is an over $800 million drop in revenue for Man City if they follow the trend of other Championship teams. Furthermore, Man City’s wage bill is $351.5 million, over $200 million more than Wolverhampton’s Championship leading wage bill of $103 million. 

Man City would undeniably have a loss in profits in the Championship as their current rate of spending is completely unsustainable in a lower division. 

Additionally, many of their top players are in their athletic prime, and spending possibly two or more years in a lower division would be detrimental to their career. 

Nearly the entire starting 11 would likely seek an exit as their talents would be wasted on a Championship side. A majority of Man City’s roster has not been with the team for an extended period of time, making it unlikely that they would feel inclined to help City out of a lower division. 

Manager Enzo Maresca would likely depart the club as well, as a potential transfer and academy ban would make it hard to bring new talent in. 

Relegation would mark City as a sinking ship, causing a fire sale to commence with multiple players wanting out. While City could certainly recover and reach the Premier League again, reaching a similar level as before would be nearly impossible.