By Andrew Warshaw
August 21 – Manchester City’s ambitions to become a major power both commercially and in the transfer market have been given a boost with the appointment of Ferran Soriano as the club’s new chief executive officer in succession to Garry Cook.
Cook resigned just under a year ago after admitting an “error of judgement” for his part in an email scandal that led to an internal investigation.
Soriano (pictured top, left), who occupied the same position at Barcelona, where he was also vice-chairman, takes up his new position at the Premier League champions on September 1.
Soriano comes to City having worked for several multinational companies across Europe and America and has more than 20 years of strategic consultancy and executive experience in football and business.
The 45-year-old Catalan helped revolutionise Barcelona’s fortunes on and off the field, completely turning around the club’s finances, and fills an important void at the defending English champions and their Abu Dhabi owners.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (pictured top, right) said finding a replacement for Cook had been “deliberate, far reaching and exhaustive”.
Soriano’s experience within both football and the commercial world made him “exceptionally well equipped to lead Manchester City through its continued evolution”.
Soriano (pictured above), who is incredibly well connected, will work alongside former Derby supremo Tom Glick, who was appointed to the new post of chief commercial and operating officer at City in May and took up his role at the start of this season.
“The vision of the owner together with his commitment, and that of the chairman and board, makes this opportunity absolutely compelling,” said Soriano, one of whose many successes at Barça was managing to bring Ronaldinho to the Nou Camp from under the noses of Manchester United.
“The club has incredible potential to be fulfilled both on and off the field.
“I very much look forward to playing my part to ensure that happens.”
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