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Pep Guardiola's Man City have been nothing short of woeful so far this season and their European form could spell doom for their finances.
Manchester City is facing a financial setback this season due to their underwhelming performance in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s side has been nothing short of underwhelming so far this season, with the Premier League champions struggling in the group stage of the Champions League.
And the implications extend far beyond the pitch, with millions in UEFA prize money slipping through their grasp.
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City’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Juventus on Wednesday night compounded earlier setbacks, including a stinging defeat to Sporting, a draw with Inter, and a disastrous collapse against Feyenoord.
These results have left them with only £4.5 million in prize money from UEFA so far, significantly below the £10 million they could have accrued with stronger performances.
By contrast, Liverpool, who have dominated their group, are on track to earn £22.9 million should they win their remaining matches.
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For context, each Champions League group stage victory is worth £1.77 million, while a draw nets approximately £600,000.
City’s underperformance highlights the financial stakes tied to their results, with the club now facing a potentially daunting playoff round in February just to secure a spot in the last 16.
Financial consequences of early stumbles
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Progression in the UEFA Champions League is not just a matter of prestige but also a lucrative revenue stream.
Reaching the playoffs guarantees £840,000, while a place in the Round of 16 brings an additional £9 million.
City’s current standing, an abysmal 22nd in the 36-team league, means they risk facing top-tier clubs like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, or AC Milan in the playoff round, further jeopardising their prospects.
For a club of City’s calibre, early Champions League exits are rare and costly.
Guardiola, who has previously emphasised the financial benefits of strong group stage performances, now faces the challenge of reinvigorating his squad.
However, if City fail to turn their misfortunes around, the Etihad outfit may lose out on the prize money needed to justify their significant investments in players and infrastructure.
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