Jesse Marsch demands Manchester City relegation after financial ruling

Jesse Marsch says Manchester City should be relegated from the Premier League after an independent commission found the club had breached financial regulations, insisting that “everyone knew” about the alleged wrongdoing.

The former Leeds United manager, now in charge of Canada, was speaking after the commission ruled that Manchester City had concealed £900m in payments over a nine-year period involving “fake” deals. The ruling covered the years from 2009 to 2018, although Marsch said he believed there had been “discrepancies” during his own time in the Premier League.

Manchester City confirmed on Friday that it had appealed against the independent commission’s decision.

“I think Manchester City should be punished severely,” Marsch told The Guardian. “I think they should be relegated to the lower division, and by the way, everyone knew about it. Everyone knew.”

Marsch was appointed by Leeds United in February 2022 but was dismissed 12 months later, with the club struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League. He recalled the financial results published by clubs that summer, covering the 2020-21 season, which was played behind closed doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leeds reported an operating profit of £5.5m during that period, with the club’s income boosted by its return to the top division after promotion from the English Championship.

Manchester City, meanwhile, announced a small profit of £2.4m for the same period, having recorded a loss of £126m in 2019-20. The club’s run to the 2021 Champions League final and Pep Guardiola’s side winning the Premier League title for the fourth time were cited as key reasons for the improvement in its finances.

Marsch said the figures had appeared difficult to understand when compared with Leeds’ position.

“That summer, we were the only two teams – us and Manchester City – saying we had made a profit,” he said. “For us, we made a profit because we sold Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. We still had a lot left from what we had bought.”

“At that time, we were not in a financial position where we could afford not to save. The owners did not have significant financial resources. But when Manchester City said it, I literally said: ‘Are you kidding? Is that true? Is this some kind of joke?’”

He also questioned the reported £52m fee Manchester City paid to sign Erling Haaland during the 2022 summer transfer window.

“When they said they got Erling Haaland for £52m, it was like: ‘Yes, OK, sure,’” Marsch said. “So I knew there were discrepancies, but what can you do? You just throw your arms in the air and say: ‘That’s football.’”

That transfer window also saw Manchester City sign Phillips from Leeds in a deal worth £42m. Leeds sold Brazil forward Raphinha to Barcelona for £55m, with the two sales providing the club with almost £140m in revenue.

Leeds, who dismissed Marsch in February 2023, were relegated at the end of that season.