Pep Guardiola has been set the challenge of building a period of domestic dominance at Manchester City - and delivering a first Champions League crown.
On the day when the Premier League champions announced record revenues, City’s hierarchy immediately outlined plans to build on Guardiola’s remarkable success at the Etihad.
City became only the second English club to break the £500m-mark for revenue in 2017-18 - and recorded a fourth successive year of profit as Guardiola’s side blitzed their way to the title with 100 points.
Chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak hailed the Catalan’s impact on the club - adding: “Our journey is not complete and we have more targets to fulfil.”
Chief executive Ferran Soriano echoed that message - laying out more specific targets as Guardiola aims to become the first City manager to win back-to-back titles.
“Consistent domestic success and further development in the Champions League will be our focus in 2018-19 and the seasons to come,” he said.
City’s annual report reveals a 44 percent increase in revenue in five years, rising to £500.5m, as well as an annual profit of £10.4m.
The club’s wage/revenue ratio is currently 52 percent, despite securing long-term deals for the club’s highest earners like Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva over the past 12 months.
Khaldoon added: “Ten years ago, the idea that 2018 would bring a fourth consecutive pro table year for Manchester City, may well have been rejected as fanciful by some commentators. That is the reality today as revenues once again reach record levels.
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“We have not diverted in any way from our strategy for on-field success within a commercially and financially sustainable organisation.
“Despite all of the wonderful developments and a truly incredible season, we will always strive for more.”
City’s latest figures have made them the fifth most valuable football brand in Europe, behind Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich - rising above Chelsea to become the second most valuable in England.
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