Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the owner of Manchester City.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the owner of Manchester City.

Manchester City on the right track under Mancini, says Sheikh Mansour



Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed firmly believes Roberto Mancini is the right manager to navigate Manchester City to success in the Premier League and the Champions League.

The Manchester City owner has spent more than £1 billion since September 2008 in transforming City into a side who currently lead the Premier League by five points. The Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Presidential Affairs feels Mancini has the ability to translate his investment into success in England and in Europe, despite City facing an early exit from the Champions League next week.

"Sometimes I meet a lot of Emirati and Arab brothers in London, and see them criticise the work of Roberto Mancini, but I think that his plans are going on the right path," Shiekh Mansour said to Al Ittihad newspaper.

"We have to ask ourselves where we have been and what Manchester City have become now. To realise that what we have accomplished is great. Hard work is still required but we are all satisfied with what has been achieved, the success and development at this level. However you must have patience."

With Manchester United surprisingly knocked out of the Carling Cup last night at Old Trafford by Crystal Palace, City have been installed as favourites to add more silverware to the FA Cup they won last year, their first trophy in 35 years. However, Sheikh Mansour has his eyes on a bigger prize.

"We must not forget that our main objective is to win the English Premier League and if we achieve that, then it will have an impact on the team and the club as a whole and will show we can achieve anything," Sheikh Mansour said.

City underlined their title credentials with a 6-1 win at Manchester United, their arch rivals and the champions, earlier this season.

"We must be aware that these kinds of results can be a double-edged sword - it makes the others look at you differently and prepare themselves the best way they can," said Sheikh Mansour. "But those who want to win championships and trophies have to adapt to that and be ready to face the challenges."

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 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
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  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
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Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment

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Rating 3 /stars

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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

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How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Started: 2020
 
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Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Company name: Fine Diner

Started: March, 2020

Co-founders: Sami Elayan, Saed Elayan and Zaid Azzouka

Based: Dubai

Industry: Technology and food delivery

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Total sales: Over 1,000 deliveries in three months

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Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution