David Gill now shares the real reason why Tevez joined Man City

Redaction Simon Brett with Dan Murphy
Published on 2024-02-07 09:00:00

Manchester United’s long-time CEO David Gill has explained the two key factors behind Carlos Tevez joining Manchester City. United signed Tevez on an initial two-year loan in 2007 and he quickly became a favorite among fans, players, and Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. Mere months into his stint, the legendary United boss declared his hopes of signing the Argentine striker permanently.

United attempted to sign him when the loan expired in 2009, but Tevez controversially decided to move across town and join fierce rivals City instead. Gill, who served as United’s chief executive for a decade between 2003 and 2013, revealed that a lack of guaranteed playing time and the owners of his rights earning much more money from a move to City were the reasons why he swapped the red half of Manchester for the blue.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s Five podcasts, Gill said, “Well Tevez, we had him for two years, and we had the right to buy him for £25.5m and we exercised the option to do that. Perhaps he wasn’t in the team as much, and ultimately the people who controlled him, because he wasn’t owned by a club, got a lot more money by taking him to City, it became a financial thing for them.”

Though Robinho arrived the summer previously following the Abu Dhabi United Group’s shock takeover of City in 2008, it was the signing of Tevez that was the real statement of intent from the new owners. Not only had the Blues signed a world-class striker from under the nose of their greatest rivals, but they had done so while vying to compete and knock United off their perch. It took a couple of years for success to arrive but City qualified for the Champions League and won their first trophy under the new regime.

In conclusion, Tevez’s move to City was a significant statement from the new owners that announced their intentions of becoming a major competitor to United in English football. This move may have paved the way for other star signings that have contributed to City’s rise in recent years.

Read Original article on Manchester City News