Colliers’ Post

As an ardent Manchester United fan for over two and a half decades, writing about Manchester City Football Club City's recent triumphs isn't easy. But today, I'm setting rivalries aside to delve into an extraordinary journey - one that exemplifies entrepreneurship, long-term vision, and calculated risk. In 2008, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan took a bold leap, acquiring Manchester City for $270 million. At the time, they were far from the Premier League limelight, having never clinched the trophy. Yet, Sheikh Mansour saw beyond the current standings. He invested in infrastructure, nurtured talent at the City Football Academy, and transformed the Etihad Stadium into a modern marvel. His strategic signings - Kompany, Tevez, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, and Haaland - marked a shift in the club's trajectory. In 2011, patience bore fruit as Manchester City secured their first Premier League title. But Sheikh Mansour's genius extended beyond the pitch. In 2019, he orchestrated a savvy move, selling 10% to Silver Lake for a staggering $500 million, effectively doubling his initial investment. Today, Manchester City's value approaches $5 billion, boasting 8 Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph. Sheikh Mansour's journey teaches us that true champions aren't just made on the field - they're crafted through bold decisions, unwavering focus, and a willingness to play the long game. 🌟 #Entrepreneurship #LongTermGoals #CalculatedRisk #ManchesterCity

⚽️ Josep Guardiola and the Challenge of Rebuilding Manchester City 🔵⚽ Manchester City is facing a challenging period after three consecutive losses and without a key player like Rodri anchoring the midfield. Yet, if there’s one coach known for turning setbacks into strengths, it’s Pep Guardiola. Guardiola’s capacity to adapt, rethink his strategies, and keep his team motivated—even in tough times—will be crucial as he seeks to bring City back on track. With his return to Manchester, he faces added pressure and the anticipation of a direct face-off with Rúben Amorim, who’s coming off a 4-1 victory and is proving himself a rising competitor in European football. As Guardiola enters what may be his final season with City, this is a defining moment to leave the club performing at its highest level. True leadership isn’t just about maintaining success; it’s about guiding a team through adversity, inspiring belief, and building a lasting legacy of resilience and excellence that will carry on long after he’s gone. Will Guardiola rise to the challenge and secure his place as one of the greatest leaders in football history? ⭐️

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐭: 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 In a recent development at Aston Villa, Copa America and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez has committed to remain with the club until 2029. This decision comes after a decade at Arsenal where he made sporadic first-team appearances (15) and underwent numerous loans (6). His transformative journey began upon his arrival at Villa Park, marking a stark transition from a career on the sidelines to achieving international acclaim with Argentina. Martinez's story is a testament to the power of finding one's "right place" - a concept as relevant in financial services as it is in football. His rise underscores how crucial a supportive environment is for talent to flourish. At Villa, Martinez found a community that fostered his abilities and celebrated his contributions, leading to unprecedented personal and professional achievements. In the realm of financial services, this narrative is incredibly pertinent. As leaders and recruiters, we must create and nurture environments that empower individuals to thrive. The goal is to enable our staff to reach and surpass their potential. So, when interviewing candidates or managing teams, remember: the right environment not only attracts talent but also retains and magnifies it. Just as Martinez found his home at Villa, let’s commit to being that ‘home’ for our talent, where they can secure their biggest wins. Because in the end, if we don't provide the necessary support, there’s always another ‘Villa’ waiting to offer it. #FinancialServices #Leadership #Recruitment #TalentManagement #TeamBuilding #AstonVilla

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Chelsea Football Club executives, Chris Jurasek and Jason Gannon, have been entrusted with overseeing the club's £2 billion redevelopment project for Stamford Bridge. 👔 Manchester United are looking to appoint a Chief Business Officer who will report directly to their incoming Chief Executive, Omar Berrada. 💰 Sport Lisboa e Benfica have initiated a new bond issue valued at €35 million, set to mature by 2027. 💰 FC Barcelona intends to raise €100 million by selling VIP boxes at the revamped Camp Nou. 💰 Motherwell Football Club have announced that discussions with a US-based family about investment have progressed to a stage where both parties are keen to advance to the next phase, leading to a non-binding Heads of Terms agreement. 🤝 Wolves have extended their partnership with current hospitality providers Levy to become the club's new retail partners. 🤝 Valencia CF have introduced The Bridge SC, an academy based in Jordan, as its new technical partner. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

BREAKING NEWS: Brentford agree summer deal with PSG for Kylian Mbappe Now we all know this would never actually happen. As much as I admire Brentford FC, they know their limits in the transfer market. They can't attract the Mbappes and Haalands of the world to their club. Much like many companies, they compete in the same league as elite corporations But lack the prestige and salaries to attract top end talent. Yet many Brentford-level businesses still expect to sign Mbappe-calibre salespeople. While offering a fraction of the salary and benefits. Would Mbappe join Brentford on £200k instead of £1m? Doubtful. And even if they could afford him, could they attract him? Probably not without playing at the highest level. This is where I often have to reset expectations with clients. We don't want months wasted chasing the impossible. Instead, we show them how to attract the Ivan Toneys out there. As well as the Bryan Mbuemos who FIT their club's reality. These are the talents who can still take their sales team to the next level. With the right approach, these game-changers exist and are realistic to attract. It's about knowing your limits - but still aiming for the stars within reach.

The arrivals of Omar Berrada from Man City and Dan Ashworth from Newcastle signal the start of a new era for Manchester United. For years, the club has made headlines by overpaying for players and neglecting the club's infrastructure. For the first time in nearly a decade, Manchester United have made smart deals to recruit some of the top football executives in England and finally look to be restructuring the club for the better. While the Glazers have drastically improved the club commercially, they are also a significant cause for the steep decline in on-pitch performances over the last decade. For years, Manchester United have been a cautionary tale for how not to run a football club, but it feels like a new era is finally upon us. It says a lot about the state of the club over the last 10 years when United fans are celebrating the acquisitions of competent executives as if they just signed Kylian Mbappé. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have shown that they are prepared to splash the cash for non-playing personnel; an investment that should pay dividends (and not just for the Glazers this time) in the long-term. Coupled with the already-strong commercial side of the club, the new "all-star" executive cast could help bring Manchester United back to where the club belongs: at the very top. #manutd #sportsmanagement #ineos #premierleague

As Arsenal F.C and Manchester United gear up for the 2024/25 season, they do so under the leadership of newly appointed executives, Richard Garlick and Omar Berrada. With Manchester City’s dominance firmly entrenched, can these leaders steer their clubs back to glory? 1: What unique challenges do Richard Garlick and Omar Berrada face at Arsenal and Manchester United? Garlick at Arsenal inherits a club on the brink of success, needing only to turn near misses into a title win. Berrada, however, faces a more daunting task at Manchester United, where aligning commercial growth with on-field performance and restoring financial health is crucial. 2: How do Garlick and Berrada’s backgrounds equip them for their roles? Garlick’s extensive experience in football operations, particularly in handling crises and overseeing player transfers, prepares him to support Arsenal’s push for silverware. Berrada’s commercial expertise, honed during his time at Manchester City, positions him to revitalize Manchester United’s business and football strategy. 3: Why is their approach seen as a shift from their predecessors? Both executives emphasize the integration of football operations with commercial success, a departure from previous leadership that often prioritized finances over on-field results. This holistic approach is seen as essential to competing with the likes of Manchester City, where this balance has been key to sustained success. #SportsBusiness #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Management #Intelligence

The Port Adelaide football club of the early 2000s was good, not great. It needed another edge. It brought in Damien Hardwick, old and in his last year, he provided limited minutes in the middle. But as a big-bodied midfielder, he provided a point of difference. Those minutes of experience were crucial to letting the younger players do their thing. Almost every company is built for the status quo. A group of full-time staff, able to deliver sales, production and reporting. But what if you know you need more, as Port Adelaide did, or worse, don't realise you need more? Increasingly, companies are moving to fractional CFOs and COOs. They don't manage the day-to-day, but they do move the dial inside the company, identifying areas to change and implementing that change. They are professionals; it's just that they work with a portfolio of companies, usually one or two days a week. Axant has access to a range of experienced CFOs and COOs who can be your Damien Hardwick, providing professionalism and experience to support your team to deliver more than they can themselves. Please reach out to me, and we can discuss your needs and how we can solve them.

Pep Guardiola’s Uncertain Future: City’s Next Chapter Awaits: Pep Guardiola is making headlines again, not just for Manchester City’s record-breaking performance but also for the uncertainty surrounding his future… Read More: Pep Guardiola’s Uncertain Future: City’s Next Chapter Awaits via #TheCityCeleb

As you may or may not know... I’m a Chelsea fan. Chelsea have been a laughing stock because of: Poor performances Strange player contracts Fan unrest Much more... It’s no coincidence that it’s since a change in leadership. Stability isn’t just a buzzword in leadership; it’s the cornerstone of success. I hate saying it... but take a look at clubs like Man City. Consistent leadership in the boardroom and a clear strategy has generated success - the levels of which Chelsea had. Look at Manchester United’s turmoil under the Glazers or Liverpool when it was Gillett and Hicks. A solid board doesn’t just steer the ship - but it also navigates through stormy seas with a steady hand. The ripple effect of unrest at the top can be devastating. Where am I going with this? In today’s fast-paced tech world, the ones that do well are the ones with a clear plan ... solid leadership ... consistent message. Thanks for listening to my TED talk (rant). p.s. Even when they're winning, the players are still arguing over a penalty p.p.s. No comment about the other London club results #leadership #tech #consistency