Roberto Mancini has addressed the controversial “double contract” linked to his time at Manchester City, with the former City manager insisting the issue does not concern him while maintaining that the club is not guilty.

Former Man City boss breaks silence on “double contract” amid financial charges

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has spoken publicly about the controversial “double contract” linked to his time at the club as attention continues to grow around City’s major financial case.

Mancini managed City between 2009 and 2013 and led the club to their first Premier League title in more than four decades.

But one part of the long-running financial case concerns payments connected to his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Asked about the issue, Mancini made it clear that he does not believe it is his responsibility.

Mancini speaks about “double contract”

Mancini was questioned about the situation while speaking to reporters as Italy manager.

He said:

“It’s not a problem that concerns me.”

The Italian coach then referred directly to the issue of having a dual contract.

He added that the matter was City’s problem rather than his.

However, Mancini also defended his former club and said he believes Manchester City are not guilty.

His comments have attracted major attention because the alleged contract arrangement is connected to one area of the Premier League’s case against City.

What was the alleged second contract?

The controversy goes back several years.

German magazine Der Spiegel previously reported that Mancini was receiving money from two different agreements during his time as City manager.

One was his normal Manchester City contract.

The other was reportedly a consultancy agreement with Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira.

Der Spiegel reported that Mancini’s City base salary was around £1.45 million and that his consultancy work in Abu Dhabi significantly increased his total income.

Al Jazira was owned by a company chaired by Sheikh Mansour, Manchester City’s majority owner.

That connection later became part of the wider discussion about whether all payments to City’s managers and players had been fully reported.

Did Mancini admit to cheating?

There is an important clarification.

Mancini did NOT say that he cheated, broke Premier League rules or entered an illegal contract.

Some reports have described his comments as an apparent acknowledgement of a “double contract”.

But acknowledging that two agreements existed is not the same as admitting that those agreements were illegal or designed to avoid financial rules.

Mancini actually continued to argue that City were not guilty.

So it would be inaccurate to describe his comments as a direct admission of financial cheating.

Why does the contract matter?

The Premier League’s case against Manchester City covers several different areas.

One involves whether the club provided complete and accurate information about payments to managers and players.

Other allegations concern sponsorship revenue, financial information and City’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.

The alleged payments connected to Mancini are therefore only one part of a much larger case.

The Premier League originally brought 115 charges against Manchester City.

Recent media reports have said the independent commission found City guilty of almost all of them, with Reuters referring to reports of 114 breaches.

Official verdict still not fully published

Despite those reports, an important part of the process remains unfinished.

The independent commission’s full written judgment has still not been officially published.

That means many details behind individual findings are not yet publicly available.

Manchester City also continue to deny wrongdoing.

The club have said their position remains unchanged and that the legal process is still continuing.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has also said City remain confident they can prove their innocence.

Mancini distances himself from the case

Mancini’s main message was clear.

He does not believe the controversy surrounding the contract is something he should be responsible for explaining.

The former City manager said the issue has appeared several times over the past few years and again insisted it was a matter for the club.

His comments do not settle whether the arrangement broke Premier League rules, but they have brought fresh attention to one of the most controversial parts of the case.

Man City could still face major punishment

The next major question concerns the possible punishment.

Available sanctions can include a financial penalty, a points deduction or, in the most serious circumstances, expulsion from the Premier League.

No final punishment has yet been officially announced.

City are also expected to challenge any decision they disagree with, meaning the legal battle could continue for some time.

A major issue returns to the spotlight

Mancini’s comments have now brought the “double contract” story back into focus at a crucial moment for Manchester City.

He has referred to the existence of a dual-contract issue but rejected the idea that it is his responsibility.

At the same time, he continues to defend his former club.

For now, there is still no admission from Mancini that the arrangement was fraudulent or illegal.

But as more details from Manchester City’s financial case become public, the former manager’s contract is likely to remain one of the most closely watched parts of the story.