In this database, I have created an alternate universe where Manchester City find themselves in a bit of bother. Let me set the scene for you.
The Premier League took the summer to investigate further over the 115 alleged charges and after Manchester City’s legal challenges failed the punishments began being dished out in an explosive statement. The full list of penalties were as follows.
- Removal from the Premier League
- Removal from European Club Football
- Global Transfer Ban ending on 1st July 2027
Due to the charges against them clubs from the Football League voted for Manchester City to be accepted into either the Championship, League One or League Two but that vote was lost. The Vanarama National League offered them a place in the North division which was accepted.
This began a chain of events that led to Leicester having their Premier League status reinstated, Barnsley returning to the Championship, Doncaster moving to League One, Oldham moving to League Two and Scunthorpe United moving from up a division to the Vanarama National League.
This would also send shockwaves around European football where Manchester City would not be allowed to defend their UEFA Champions League crown. Liverpool would take their place in the competition with Aston Villa moving up to the Europa League and Tottenham given a spot in the UEFA Conference League.
The Sky Blues however will still feature in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Financially nothing much changes. All sponsors distanced themselves from the club and were allowed to terminate the deals early meaning the club is entirely funded by the City Football Group which means the money will still be rolling in. Macron were the only kit manufacturer to step in after Puma walked away.
Amazon Prime Video who had once made a documentary on the club with their ‘All or Nothing’ series back in 2018 make a return to the club to film once more — I guess their fall from grace should be documented after all — and also become the club’s front-of-shirt sponsor.
What about the squad though?
Erling Haaland? Kevin De Bruyne? Ruben Dias? All gone. The only remaining first-team players who chose to stay were Rico Lewis, Zack Steffen and Scott Carson whilst Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Callum Doyle, Tommy Doyle, Issa Kabore, James McAtee and Liam Delap all had their loan deals terminated and returned to the club to help out with first-team affairs.
Players who remained out on loan will all return to the club.
With a global transfer ban lasting four years can the club survive with the players left at their disposal? They are currently famed for having the world’s best academy and this is an ideal time to test out that theory. As for the first-team staff? They all chose to leave along with Pep Guardiola.
This all means that Manchester City’s last competitive game was winning the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan and their next competitive game will be in the English Non-League. It’s a mighty fall but makes for an interesting challenge, especially when you throw the transfer ban into the mix.
Do you think you will be able to guide Manchester City back to Premier League and European glory without making a new signing for four years? And if so, how long will it take?
The download includes both the editor file, 2d/3d kits and a small notepad document detailing how to set everything up. I hope you enjoy this fictional journey — fiction for now, right?
Discussion: Non-League Manchester City
8 comments have been posted so far.
Have you stripped all their titles won since 2009 as well? If not please remember to do so if you make the same file for FM25. This is for the ideal, justice served scenario!