Manchester City’s rapid rise to the elite of European football began when Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008.
In the 15 years under Sheikh Mansour, City have now won seven Premier League titles, in addition to their three FA Cups and six EFL Cups. But even after the £2.5bn ($3.5bn) of Abu Dhabi money that has reportedly been invested in the club since Mansour’s takeover, the coveted Champions League has continued to elude the blue half of Manchester.
But that could change if they can beat Inter Milan in the June 10 final in Istanbul as the Mancunian side set to complete a FA Cup, domestic league and European treble.
Saturday. #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/AoXpMhgRkC
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 5, 2023
Taking into account City’s domestic successes under Mansour, such an achievement would undoubtedly secure the Abu Dhabi sheikh’s place on the the list of European football’s most successful owners of all time.
22/23 FA CUP WINNERS!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YSGYCbSRZ1
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 3, 2023
Sheikh Mansour’s business and political career, net worth
While his chairmanship of City may be his most publicly visible role, it is far from his most important by his own accounts in his official biography. The 50-year-old Emirati royal is also chief executive of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, which oversees the emirate’s $370bn sovereign wealth fund; a board member of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company; and chairman of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Emirates Global Aluminium.
With an estimated net worth of $16.8 billion, Mansour oversees a lucrative business portfolio as head of Aabar Investments, which includes a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic and a 9.1% stake in Daimler. He also owns the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC) which established Sky News Arabia under a partnership with British Sky Broadcasting.
"الوزاري للتنمية" برئاسة منصور بن زايد يناقش عدداً من السياسات والمبادرات لدعم المنظومة الحكومية pic.twitter.com/AHH0uIUkz2
— منصور بن زايد (@HHMansoor) May 25, 2023
His sporting interests include his ownership of City Football Group, which comprises of Manchester City, Melbourne City FC, New York City FC, Mumbai City FC, among others; chairmanship of the Al Jazira sports company, which owns UAE Pro League ouftit, Al Jazira Club; and chairmanship of the Emirates horse racing authority. A strong supporter of Arabian horse racing, he is himself a successful horse rider who has won several endurance racing tournaments in the Middle East.
Mansour personal life
Mansour has been married twice. He married his ex-wife Sheikha Alia bint Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed in the mid-1990s, with whom he has one son, Zayed. In 2005, Mansour married Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktou, daughter of Dubai ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The couple has two daughters and three sons: Fatima (2006), Mohammed (2007), Hamdan (2011), Latifa (2014) and Rashid (2017).
I'm well-versed in the intricate details of Manchester City's ascent to footballing glory under Sheikh Mansour's ownership. The transformation began in 2008 when Sheikh Mansour took over the club, injecting substantial financial resources and vision into the team. His investments, totaling around £2.5 billion, strategically fueled the club's trajectory to the summit of English football, evidenced by their seven Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and six EFL Cups within 15 years.
Despite the domestic triumphs, the elusive Champions League title remains a coveted prize for Manchester City. Their pursuit of European glory has been fervent but unfulfilled. The upcoming clash against Inter Milan in the June 10 final in Istanbul offers an opportunity for City to clinch the elusive trophy and mark a historic achievement—a FA Cup, domestic league, and European treble.
Sheikh Mansour's influence extends far beyond the football pitch. His role as the chief executive of Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company, overseeing a sovereign wealth fund of $370 billion, and his positions on the boards of various influential entities like the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and others, showcase his immense involvement in the region's economic and political landscape.
With an estimated net worth of $16.8 billion, Mansour's business interests span diverse sectors. He heads Aabar Investments, boasting stakes in companies like Virgin Galactic and Daimler, and controls the Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC), which partnered with British Sky Broadcasting to establish Sky News Arabia.
Beyond business, Mansour's sporting empire extends through the City Football Group, comprising Manchester City and several other global clubs. His involvement in horse racing, both as a chairperson and a successful participant, underscores his multifaceted interests beyond football.
In terms of his personal life, Sheikh Mansour's marriages, notably to Sheikha Alia bint Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed and Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, have produced a family with multiple children, demonstrating a balance between his public and personal spheres.
This confluence of business acumen, sporting investments, and personal life reflects Mansour's multifaceted persona, shaping Manchester City's trajectory and leaving an indelible mark on both the footballing and global landscapes.
