Khaldoon Al Mubarak believes Manchester City have emerged from Covid in a robust financial position with the club now ready to go "from strength to strength".
The City chairman, who saw his side clinch a fourth Premier League title in five seasons in May, is excited about the future after "weathering the storm" of the pandemic with some meticulous planning.
City have already agreed a deal in principle with Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland, one of the most sought-after players in the game, after activating a €60 million ($64.7m) release clause in the Norwegian striker's contract.
There will be more players joining in the summer, and Al Mubarak says City are in a great position despite the challenges of Covid restricting income as fans were locked out of the Etihad Stadium.
"We've done very well. Covid was an anomaly, that put an incredible challenge on the whole world from a personal perspective and a professional one," Al Mubarak said in the second part of his end-of-season interview with Manchester City's website released on Tuesday.
"When we looked at how the pandemic was going to impact football in general, the Premier League and obviously Manchester City, it was very difficult.
"We had to manage through and weather a lot of challenges. Losing the revenue from match days for long periods had an impact, but from day one my vision, my direction to the team and the organisation was 'we have to work towards ensuring that we weather the storm and we come out stronger'.
"I'm delighted to say that we have weathered through it and we have come out stronger.
"Our figures for last year are 19 per cent up, broadcast revenue has been improved with us winning the league last year and making the Champions League final, but also on the commercial side we have done some great new things, and have some great new partners all over the world.
Manchester City season ratings
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GOALKEEPERS: Ederson 8 - Won the coveted Premier League Golden Glove award after keeping 20 clean sheets this season. In a team full of pass masters, the Brazilian can hold his own against any of his outfield teammates. AP Photo -
Zack Steffen 5 - Usually an able deputy but his mistake against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final cost City the chance of a league-and-cup double. EPA -
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker 8 - A one-man flank down City's right. Few posses the Englishman's pace and powers of recovery. His distribution has improved this campaign too. AFP -
Ruben Dias 6 - Failed to match last season's achievements when he was named player of the season. Found himself in and out of the side. AFP -
John Stones 7 - Showed his versatility by filling in at right-back on occasion and another solid season ends with a Premier League winner's medal. Getty Images -
Nathan Ake 6 - A much-improved season though still struggling to nail down a first-team place. Always committed and gives his all. AFP -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 7 - Emotional scenes at the Etihad as the Ukrainian draped his country's flag around the Premier League trophy. Underrated player who never grumbles about filling in at left-back despite being a midfielder by trade. Getty Images -
Aymeric Laporte 8 - After playing second fiddle to Dias last season, the Spaniard has re-emerged as one of the best centre-backs in the league this term. Reuters -
Joao Cancelo 9 - The Portuguese almost seems wasted at left-back, such is his passing ability and knack for supplying teammates during his forays forward. City's player of the season, for me. AFP -
MIDFIELDERS: Ilkay Gundogan 8 - When it looked as though the title was lost on the final day, the German midfielder came off the bench to drag City over the line with two of the most important goals of his career. Another excellent campaign. AFP -
Jack Grealish 6 - Hard to say the Englishman has justified his £100 million price tag, or that he has necessarily made City a better team. AFP -
Rodri 8 - The Spanish metronome just keeps City ticking. Popped up with some crucial goals as City won a fourth Premier League title in five seasons. AFP -
Kevin de Bruyne 9 - Another standout campaign from the brilliant Belgian. Fifteen-goals - including four in one match against Wolves - and eight assists despite missing eight league games. Will undoubtedly get a statue at the Etihad alongside Aguero, Kompany and Silva when he does call it a day. Getty Images -
Bernardo Silva 8 - The one player Guardiola can give any assignment to - whether at the base, on the wing or as a False 9 - knowing he will excel in that role. Getty Images -
Fernandinho 6 - Took Guardiola by surprise when he announced he will leave the club this summer. Second fiddle to Rodri now, but what a loyal servant the Brazilian has been. Getty Images -
Phil Foden 8 - Few players have the poise and grace of Foden. One of those players that can run with ball full speed. An absolute nightmare for defenders. Getty Images -
Cole Palmer 5 - No shame in finding minutes hard to come by with City's galaxy of midfield stars ahead of him. Getty Images -
Raheem Sterling 7 - A bit of a mixed bag for the English forward. A healthy goal return of 13 in the league but has looked leggy, with perhaps tiredness a factor having helped England reach the Euro 2020 final last summer. Getty Images -
Riyad Mahrez 7 - A hint of friction with his manager at times this season and has not always been first choice. Still contributed 11 league goals to City's victorious Premier League campaign. Getty Images -
Gabriel Jesus 7 - With record-scorer Sergio Aguero departing last summer, the scene looked set for the Brazilian to establish himself as undisputed first choice. That didn't happen, but Jesus is a workhorse whom Guardiola seems to love. Half of his eight league goals came in a single match against Watford. Getty Images -
MANAGER: Pep Guardiola 8 - Kept his troops focussed even when momentum looked to have shifted Liverpool's way. Will go down as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history. AP
"I expect us to continue to grow and go from strength to strength."
City plan to tour the USA in July, with Pep Guardiola’s squad facing Club America and Bayern Munich in Houston and Green Bay as part of their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign.
“It’s great after three years of Covid to go back to some form of normality. The human interaction of going back and having a proper pre-season, the ability to have a pre-season without any other competitions, really having the whole group together is a great opportunity," added Al Mubarak.
“It’s a place that has a huge Manchester City fan base. I know Pep and the team are really excited about interacting with the fans and playing in two of the most iconic stadiums in the United States.”
Al Mubarak also revealed there will be three more statues of City legends at the Etihad in the near future.
“We’ve had the statues of Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero,” he said.
“These three reflect the most successful era in the history of this club.
“But there are other very successful eras and I think remembering Colin Bell, Francis Lee, Mike Summerbee is very important. This club has a great history.
“These are players that have contributed immensely to this club. They’ve earned the right to be appreciated forever, eternally with statues.
“I won’t say too much until it’s done but what I will say is these three legends will be properly respected and represented in a work of art that all the fans of this club will be able to see.”
Bell, Lee and Summerbee are widely regarded as three of City’s greatest players. All were pivotal in the 1960s and 70s as City won all three major domestic honours, as well as the 1969-70 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
