Manchester City face Newcastle United today on the 10th anniversary of the most significant moment in the club’s history — not the lifting of a trophy or a title win but the day that Sheikh Mansour first announced his Abu Dhabi United Group had bought the club from Thai owner Thaksin Sinawatra to begin one of football’s great projects.

Pep Guardiola has paid an emotional tribute to the hierarchy at Manchester City after lifting his first silverware with the club, thanking owner Sheikh Mansour for sticking by him in a trophy-less first season.

There has been robust discussion around this week’s series on Irish football and the things being done to restore our supply of top talent. It even spilled beyond these shores, from the UK to USA and Sweden to South Africa, with many of the issues raised striking a universal chord.

Paris St Germain’s record spending spree in the transfer window, bringing in Neymar for €222m and Kylian Mbappe for a projected €180m, has led many to suggest all the pressure is on them to provide value for money by winning the Champions League this season.

Pep Guardiola claims he has been given more power than ever before in his career as he seeks to shape Manchester City’s future.

FA Cup Fifth Round Replay

Leicester 0 Chelsea 3: As Chelsea maintain their grip at the top of the Premier League it appears as though even the millions of Chinese football cannot stop them marching towards the title.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Manchester City have recruited Barcelona’s greatest manager, hired their most successful Director of Football and have 13 former Barcelona coaches involved in their academy as they try desperately to replicate the Catalan model; but the one man they couldn’t buy proved Sheikh Mansour’s project is still some way from completion.

Manchester City made a profit of £20.5million and generated record revenues of £398.1million during the 2015-16 season, the club have revealed.

Chinese investors are paying $400m (€378m) for a stake in the group that owns soccer clubs including Manchester City and New York City FC, the country’s most significant overseas investment in the game.

Manchester City have made a profit for the first time since the club’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 – and despite what the chairman describes as a “below par” season on the pitch.

Yaya Toure decided to stay at Manchester City after being assured he is a key figure in the club’s future by owner Sheikh Mansour, his agent has said.

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes the club may need to splash out again this summer to keep pace with their rivals.

Manuel Pellegrini may well insist he isn’t under pressure but, as Manchester City’s squad, which cost €1.4bn to assemble, was out-classed in the Nou Camp, you could almost hear the sharpening of knives in Abu Dhabi.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has again defended his position following increased speculation over his future.

Frank Lampard sparked injury fears after playing just the first 20 minutes of Manchester City’s friendly victory over Hamburg in Abu Dhabi.

Champions League Group E

City underlined their status as kings of Manchester after Chris Smalling handed them three points on a plate with two moments of madness at the Etihad Stadium.

Champions League Group E

Bayern Munich 1 Manchester City 0

Champions League Group E

Frank Lampard looks set to complete his move to New York City FC next week.

A-League side Melbourne Heart have been renamed Melbourne City FC and will take Spain striker David Villa on loan from sister club New York City FC for a short spell later this year.

Captain Vincent Kompany promised supporters more silverware as Manchester City took to the streets to parade the Premier League trophy and Capital One Cup yesterday.

Tonight’s FA Cup semi-final against Wigan is one of the most important in Arsene Wenger’s entire career — and will go a long way to deciding his future.

Contrasting methods have made Liverpool and Manchester City title contenders but Reds boss Brendan Rodgers resolutely believes his preferred way of doing things is making the club better for the long term.

Barcelona midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta should recognise their surroundings when they emerge from the tunnel for tonight’s Champions League last 16 first leg at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who underwent surgery on his elbow yesterday, believes billionaire owner Roman Abramovich will bankroll another spending spree at Chelsea – if Financial Fair Play regulations are not enforced.

The fleet of flashy sports cars and SUVs parked adjacent to the lush Carton House sports pitches give the impression Ireland’s Rugby elite are in camp at their training base.

When he’s not biting or diving, you’re worrying about what we’d be like without him.

Ryan Tubridy and the Late Late Toy Show top the bill.

St Jude The Apostle is about to trend on Twitter as a 145km storm arrives on his feast day to threaten the south coast of England today ; and as the patron saint of lost causes it may be wise for Joe Hart — and Manchester City fans — to offer him up a couple of prayers.

Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Alex Ferguson spills the beans on Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Liverpool and being offered the England job.

Wayne Rooney has attempted to get under the skin of noisy neighbours Manchester City ahead of tomorrow’s big match at the Etihad by insisting games against Liverpool are still the real derby for Manchester United.

Man City 4 Newcastle United 0

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has signed a new four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

Defender Pablo Zabaleta highlighted a lack of passion and desire in the Manchester City side after their shock FA Cup final loss to Wigan.

Manchester City 0 Wigan Athletic 1