Gary Neville has questioned why Sheikh Mansour didn’t buy Everton or Newcastle United before Manchester City, as he told Sky Sports.
The former Manchester United defender pointed out that both Everton and Newcastle were ‘bigger clubs’ before Manchester City were transformed into this European supergiant.
In 2008, an Abu-Dhabi-based group, led by 51-year-old Mansour, took the reigns in the blue half of Manchester.
From a team that used to sit mid-table in the Premier League and also spent several years in England’s lower leagues, they are now the champions of England with a host of trophies in their cabinet.
Whilst a Saudi-led group are in charge of Newcastle now and they are hoping to go down the same road as Man City in these coming years.
Neville asked why those Man City owners weren’t attracted to the likes of Everton and Newcastle first.
“I have asked the question regularly over the last 10-15 years,” said Neville. “At the time, the Abu-Dhabi ownership bought Manchester City.
“Why wouldn’t they buy Everton, at that point? They were a bigger club. Why would they not go and buy Newcastle? They were a bigger club.
“They have purchased Manchester City and turned them into one of the best sporting projects in the world. And it’s a brilliant football operation.
“So, why would you not be able to do that with Everton? With a new stadium? With a brilliant fanbase. If Everton were winning, then there would be 50,60 or 70,000 going to watch them every week.”
Whilst Newcastle are now at the start of their journey with their new owners, it has been several years since Farhad Moshiri has been in the Goodison Park boardroom.
From a money perspective, he doesn’t have the wealth of those at the Etihad, but the Toffees have still spent a serious amount of money.
The issue is that it hasn’t taken them forward, but further back and they are currently in a possible relegation scrap.
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