Manchester City Owners Pull Out of Mumbai City FC Amid ISL Crisis

On December 24, 2025, City Football Group (CFG) officially pulled out of Mumbai City FC. This is a big deal. CFG, the owners of England’s giant Manchester City, said their exit was due to “ongoing uncertainty” around the Indian Super League (ISL)’s future. It really highlights the pretty messy situation in Indian football right now.

CFG’s Departure and Mumbai City’s Future

CFG, which had held a majority 65% stake since 2019, confirmed the move. Mumbai City FC said it was a mutual decision. This news came out through outlets like The Times of India. So, it’s pretty much confirmed.

But what about Mumbai City FC? Well, they’re not going anywhere. The club will keep playing in the ISL. Indian businessman Ranjan Menon still has a big stake. He’s taking the lead now. ESPN reported no immediate changes to how the club runs. CFG sold its shares back to Mumbai City Football India Pvt Ltd. That company is co-owned by actor Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh. So, they’re staying in local hands, it seems like.

The Troubled State of the ISL

CFG’s reason for leaving is pretty blunt: “ongoing uncertainty around the future of ISL.” This isn’t just some vague excuse. Sources like The Indian Express paint a grim picture. There’s been no league action for more than eight months. The last ISL season finished way back on April 12. That’s not normal for a proper football nation, you know?

A big problem is the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and their old contract. They had an agreement with a Reliance subsidiary. That let Reliance operate the league. It expired on December 8, 2025. They just couldn’t agree on new terms. And when AIFF tried to find a new partner, nobody wanted to invest. Apparently, a Supreme Court order gave investors less say in how things ran. That probably didn’t help.

The ISL also faces other issues. There are governance problems with the AIFF itself. Plus, delays in getting top-tier status from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). And then broadcasting rights disputes, too. All this adds up. It makes for a very unstable environment. There’s no confirmed solution to any of this yet. It really feels like things are falling apart.

This exit from CFG, a big international name, sends a bad message. It could make other potential investors pretty hesitant to get involved in Indian football. This is a tough spot.

CFG’s Impact and Their Remaining India Ties

When CFG bought into Mumbai City in 2019, times were good for Indian football. The national team was improving. The ISL was the top division. CFG promised “transformative benefits.” And they delivered, at least for Mumbai City.

Mumbai City FC really changed under CFG. They went from a mid-table team to champions twice (2020-21, 2023-24). They even won the league shield once (2022-23). Specialists from CFG were involved behind the scenes. Brian Marwood, from global football operations, would talk with the club staff a lot. They wanted Mumbai City to play like Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. That meant controlling possession and pressing hard.

They even hired a top coach, Sergio Lobera. He spent years at Barcelona. Guardiola even interned under him once. So, CFG’s expertise made Mumbai City a giant. Indian football really needed that kind of investment. It’s a shame to see them go.

But CFG isn’t entirely gone from India. They still have a partnership with the Odisha government. This is for the Odisha FC academy and youth programs. So, some commitment to Indian football remains, just in a different way.

What’s Next for Indian Football?

The AIFF and ISL clubs are scrambling for a solution. They’re meeting on December 26 and 29. They need a short-term plan to get the league going this season. But questions about Reliance’s future involvement still loom. If there’s no long-term plan, more investors might just leave too.

For now, ISL matches are continuing. Mumbai City FC is set to play their next game on December 28, 2025. We haven’t heard any more statements from CFG or the ISL organizers since December 25. It’s a waiting game. And the future of Indian football seems pretty uncertain, to be honest.