Jesse Marsch has called for Manchester City to be relegated if the club’s breaches of Premier League financial rules are upheld, claiming the alleged wrongdoing was widely known within English football.
The Canada coach, who managed Leeds United from 2022 to 2023, said his experience competing against City had left him convinced there were inconsistencies in the way the club operated.
“I think Man City should be punished severely. I think they should have to go down, and by the way, everyone knew about it. Everyone knew,” Marsch said.
Manchester City were found guilty of serious financial breaches covering nine seasons between 2009-10 and 2017-18. The Premier League alleged that sham commercial contracts were used to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than £900 million.
City deny wrongdoing and have argued that the independent commission’s verdict contained material errors of law, principle and fact. The club filed an appeal against the ruling on Thursday.
Jesse Marsch questions Manchester City finances
Marsch pointed to the summer transfer window of 2022, when Leeds sold Raphinha to Barcelona and Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City. Both clubs reported making money during the period.
“That summer [2022], us and Man City were the only teams that said we made money,” Marsch said.
He added that Leeds had needed to strengthen its finances after selling the two players, while questioning how City could report a similar position.
“At the time, we weren’t in a position financially to not save. Our ownership didn’t have deep pockets. Whereas when Man City says this, I was literally like, ‘Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke?’”
Marsch also expressed scepticism about City’s reported £52 million signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund that summer.
“When they said they got Erling Haaland for 52 million pounds, it’s like, ‘Yeah, OK, sure!’ So, I knew there were inconsistencies in it, but what can you do? You just put your arms in the air and go, ‘This is football’,” he said.
City’s appeal will be heard privately by an independent three-member board. Possible sanctions include fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties, with relegation and the removal of titles also discussed as potential outcomes.
It remains unclear whether any punishment would be imposed before the appeal process is complete.
