It looks like Manchester City’s PR campaign with the Catalan press is working. That, and appointing Pep Guardiola as manager.
Manchester City have invited Spanish journalists to the club repeatedly and given them privileged access, which then results in gushing pieces in the newspapers.
On Thursday, Sport have a feature on Barcelona missing out on Gabriel Jesus. Usually they’d say he’d just gone to Manchester City for the money, if it were another English club, but now they’re conflicted.
Of course, it is mentioned that money is partly behind Gabriel’s choice, but the telephone call from Pep Guardiola is brought up as the overriding reason. Guardiola was able to soothe the fears Gabriel had, and the player was left impressed by his effort.
It may well be true, and getting a call from Guardiola would always help, but the reaction of the Catalan press is very telling. With the PR campaign, and Catalan Guardiola in place, Manchester City can expect a lot of love from Barcelona.
