It is 2019, and Manchester City, the reigning English Premier League champions, looks poised to add another trophy to the case. The club’s 2017-2018 title was their third in the past 10 years, tying them with Chelsea and Manchester United for the most Premier League Titles in that span. Considering 60% of Manchester City’s all-time domestic league titles have been won within the past decade, it is safe to say that they are beginning to establish themselves as an English football powerhouse.
After years of living in the shadow of cross-town rival Manchester United, Manchester City’s recent success has allowed them to differentiate themselves as a club and claim some of the market for themselves. Establishing a presence in one of the most competitive regions of English football (the northwest) has given them additional access to fans and revenue, something to build upon in the future. Lead by Belgian midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City looks to stay among the top in the Premier League and make a splash in the Champion’s League in the near future. Read on to find out what makes them FanWide’s #9 European soccer team.
Visit FanWide.com to find a Manchester City game watch party or fan club near you.
Methodology:
The European soccer scene is unique in that it consists of 5 different comparable leagues. Unlike sports like football and basketball in the USA, which have teams that have competed against each other for years, some European soccer teams might face each other once every five to ten years. Naturally, ranking these teams is a challenge. FanWide’s goal in ranking the top ten European soccer teams was to use metrics that acknowledge the fact that not all teams get a chance to play each other. By using metrics like FanWide’s fan data, the focus in our rankings was split between on and off-field success. As a result, our top ten ranking consists of the most prominent, internationally significant European soccer clubs, accounting for but not solely relying on titles and wins. In the coming weeks, FanWide will be rolling out the top ten, building up to the reveal of the #1 soccer club in Europe. Check out this blog to find out more about what went into the rankings.
European Soccer Top 10:
9. Manchester City
Manchester City Ranked:
Category | Count | Soccer Rank |
Fan Clubs (FanWide) | 26 | 7 |
Champions League Wins (all time) | 0 | 10 (tie) |
UEFA Player of the Year Top Ten Finalists (since 2014) | 1 | 7 (tie) |
Attendance (Average 2018) | 54,141 | 8 |
Forbes Value (in billions) | 2.47 | 5 |
Total Social Media Followers (in millions) | 52.49 | 10 |
Domestic League Titles (all time) | 5 | 13 |
Domestic League Titles (since 2009) | 3 | 5 |
Fan Clubs (according to FanWide): 26 (7th)
Manchester City currently has 26 listed fan clubs in FanWide’s fan club network. This figure ranks 7th among European soccer clubs ranked and is an indication of their significant popularity beyond England. If you are a Manchester City fan who wants to set up a local fan club in your city, let us know!
All-Time Champions League Wins: 0 (10th-tie)
Despite domestic success, Manchester City has been unable to attain success in one of soccer’s premier international club competitions. Their best attempt in recent years was a 2015-2016 semi-final appearance. With consistent top tier Premier League finishes, Manchester City should be getting regular opportunities to compete on the big stage- and regular opportunities to win it all. Their biggest weakness in FanWide’s rankings, Manchester City hopes to improve their Champions League resumé and attain the glory, fan engagement, and opportunity that comes with success.
UEFA Player of the Year Top Ten Finalists (since 2014): 1 (7th-tie)
Kevin De Bruyne has been a major part of Manchester City’s success since he arrived in 2015. His efforts in 2017-2018 warranted an 8th place finish in UEFA’s Player of the Year race. Aside from helping the team compete for titles year in and year out, De Bruyne has given Manchester City some of the star power necessary to strengthen a fanbase. The 26-year-old Belgian has broadened the team’s fanbase. Manchester City has built upon this star power and looks to develop more talent to increase their success on and off the pitch.
Attendance (Average 2018): 54,141 (8th)
In 2018, Manchester City saw an average of 54,141 fans at each home match, well above the EPL average of approximately 38,000. Their stadium capacity is around 55,000; they come close to filling it in every home match. Manchester City’s impressive attendance yield is a sign that they hold their own in the region, even when competing with teams like Manchester United for fans.
Team Value: 2.47 B (5th)
According to Forbes, Manchester City is worth 2.47 billion USD, making them the fifth most valuable soccer club in the world. It is no secret that there is a lot of money in English football, and Manchester City is no exception. The valuation considers match day revenue, broadcasting deals, merchandise sales, and outstanding debts.
Aggregate Social Media Followers: 52.49 million (10th)
FanWide accounted for Manchester City’s 9.9 million Instagram followers, 6.6 million Twitter followers, and 36 million Facebook likes in this ranking (as of February 2019). With over 50 million fans on social media, Manchester City has a substantial social following, but it will need to see faster growth to catch up with some of the big names at the top of our list. Their aggregate social media following is a testament to their prominence in English football and rising relevance in international competition.
Domestic League Titles (Averaging All Time + Recent Win Rankings): 9th
Manchester City has won 3 English football titles in the past ten years and 5 in the club’s history. The EPL is one of the most competitive leagues in soccer, and each year any number of teams could make a run for the title. Manchester City has held their own in recent years, climbing the all-time leaderboard with 3 of their 5 successful runs coming within the decade. Battling teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool is a tall task. Manchester City’s formula seems to be working, and they look to continue building their reputation as an EPL powerhouse for years to come.
Manchester City currently sits at #9 in FanWide’s European soccer club rankings. No matter where you live or travel, you can find Manchester City fan clubs and watch parties near you through FanWide, the world’s largest fan club network.
After you are done checking out the rest of our top 10 European soccer teams, take a look at our top 10 MLB, NBA, and NFL franchises!
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Click here to read about our #8 team!