A fourth straight Premier League title for Manchester City marks an unprecedented period of dominance by one team in English soccer. A sixth in seven seasons underlines City's superiority in a league that is widely regarded as the most competitive — and certainly the most popular — in the sport. But does City's preeminence mean England's top division is in danger of becoming a turn-off for billions of fans around the world?
Pep Guardiola doesn't think so.
“It’s boring? It’s not. It is so difficult,” the City manager said last week as his team closed in on another title.
City's run of success bares comparison to the likes of Germany where Bayern Munich had turned the Bundesliga into a one-horse race until its 11-year winning streak was ended by Bayer Leverkusen this season. Paris Saint-Germain has won 10 of the last 12 titles in France. Celtic has won all but one of the last 13 in Scotland.
None of those leagues are as popular as England's top flight and a lack of competition could be a reason why. That is not City's problem. But if four in a row becomes five, six, seven, it could be a problem for all of England's leading clubs if it impacts on the revenues generated by the sale of global broadcast rights.
BORING?
The competition is what makes the Premier League such box office entertainment. And, for now, that competition is still evident. City needed to win its final game of the season against West Ham to finally hold off the challenge of Arsenal and clinch the title by two points. It was the third time Guardiola's team had been taken to the final day of the campaign before being crowned champion, having twice been pushed all the way by Liverpool. While the headline figure tells the story of City’s near unbroken rule over the past seven seasons, the detail shows just how closely they were challenged, with Liverpool missing out by just one point in 2019 and 2022.
Esta historia es de la edición June 2024 de Cricket Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2024 de Cricket Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Ben Stokes: The Comeback Man Of England Cricket
Stokes, who played match-winning innings for England in the finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2022, came out of ODI retirement to feature in last year's dismal World Cup defense. After knee surgery over the winter, he opted out of the...
MS Dhoni Set To Play Another IPL Season In 2025: A Masterstroke Or A Rule-Bending Move By BCCI?
MS Dhoni last played for India during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup; few could have predicted that we would still be discussing his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) more than five years later. Yet, here we are in 2025...
VERSTAPPEN SHOWS HIS PETTY SIDE WHEN FIA FOOLISHLY PUNISHES HIM FOR CURSING
Verstappen was the youngest driver ever to start an F1 race and the youngest Fl race winner, and he has made clear he doesn't plan to stay to become the oldest winner in the sport's history.
PEP GUARDIOLA IS FACING MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS MANCHESTER CITY FUTURE
Guardiola likely knows he will never find another club like City in elite European soccer. Backed by the spectacular riches of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, he has been allowed to build a team in his image, with exorbitant amounts spent to assemble a squad that has enjoyed unprecedented....
PATTON KIZZIRE ENDS DROUGHT WITH 5-STROKE VICTORY IN FEDEX CUP FALL OPENER
Unlike in 2023 when Theegala was followed by a large gallery on his way to winning, Kizzire and Lipsky played the final round in front of a small crowd at the picturesque course in the heart of the Napa Valley wine country. For the second straight day, Kizzire had to make up...
IPL 2025: TWO PLAYERS EACH FRANCHISE MUST RETAIN
Shreyas lyer and Sunil Narine As the defending champions of IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to retain a core that helped them secure their title. The first name on the list is captain Shreyas lyer, who has been instrumental in stabilizing the team...
FIVE SHOCK RELEASES FROM FRANCHISES THAT MIGHT HAPPEN AHEAD OF THE IPL 2025 MEGA AUCTION
Rohit Sharma, the stalwart of Mumbai Indians, could be shockingly released ahead of IPL 2025. After Mumbai reinstated Hardik Pandya as captain in the 2024 season, Rohit played a secondary role. The tensions between...
END OF BABAR AZAM'S CAPTAINCY ERA
The PCB said it had backed Babar as the T20 and ODI captain, but his decision to resign reflected his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player.” Babar announced he was stepping down, saying he wanted to deliver more for the team as a player...
TOM LATHAM TAKES OVER AS NEW ZEALAND TEST CAPTAIN
Latham has already captained New Zealand in nine tests, taking over from Williamson when _ he was recovering from an elbow injury. He has also led New Zealand in 44 one-day internationals.... if
CRICKET UMPIRE ALEEM DAR TO QUIT
Root, who is technically excellent and owns pretty much all the shots, overtook Cook's record of 33 test centuries by an England batter last month when he made hundreds in both innings against Sri Lanka at Lord's...
