Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has admitted that the club’s performance in the 2019/20 season was a disappointment, while also discussing the club’s recently overturned Champions League ban and relationship with UEFA.
City failed in their bid to defend their league title, finishing 17 points behind winners Liverpool, while they slumped to a shock Champions League quarter final exit to Lyon, as glory on the European stage continues to elude them.
Speaking to Manchester City’s official website in a wide ranging interview, Khaldoon said: “When I look back are the results satisfying? The answer is of course not as we always look to finish the season with as much success in as many competitions as possible.
“Second is not what we look for (in the Premier League) but it will make us hungrier.
“In the Champions League again our objective is to win that competition so I think overall this season’s experience leaves us with some disappointment but also a lot of positives to build on.”
In February, City’s season was thrown into controversy after they were dealt a two-year ban from European football for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
However, the club successfully had the ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Khaldoon revealed he was always convinced that the punishment would not be upheld.
“I was confident that the truth would prevail but what I was most concerned about was the distraction this put upon all of us – the team specifically,” he added.
Pep Guardiola was adamant that City deserved an apology following their treatment by Uefa, but Khaldoon revealed that he has no ill feeling towards the governing body.
“Life is too short to carry grudges,” he said. “This was a challenge, it’s behind us, end of story. I am focused on one thing: how I can help this club compete in this competition and win it and how to have a constructive relationship with Uefa.”