The City Football Group (CFG) is set to lose a key commercial architect, as Group Chief Operating Officer Roel De Vries prepares to step down. De Vries, who has spent six years shaping the strategic direction of the world’s largest multi-club football network, is departing to take the reins as CEO of Stage Entertainment, effective May 1, 2026.
A Transition at a Critical Juncture
De Vries’ exit comes at a challenging period for the CFG organization, which is currently undergoing a significant leadership evolution. With the recent appointment of Sporting Director Hugo Viana and the eventual departure of manager Pep Guardiola looming, the group is navigating a new era for its flagship club, Manchester City.
The Financial Backdrop
The transition coincides with a difficult fiscal year for the multi-club network. The CFG recently reported a pre-tax loss of £292.3 million for the 2024/25 financial year, more than doubling the previous year’s deficit.
Key Financial Pressures:
- Revenue Dip: Total network revenue fell by nearly 5%, dropping to £888 million.
- Rising Costs: Operating expenses surged to £1.26 billion, with the wage bill alone accounting for £630 million.
- Transfer Market Shifts: Reduced profits from player sales (£117 million) coupled with heavy investment in player acquisitions (nearly £400 million) have tightened margins across the 11-club network.
Architect of a New Vision
De Vries was instrumental in pivoting CFG’s identity, steering the organization toward a broader “sports and entertainment” platform rather than traditional football-only operations. His successor will inherit the task of stabilizing the group’s commercial strategy while maintaining its aggressive expansion plans in North America and Asia.
In a statement regarding his transition, De Vries expressed pride in his tenure at CFG: “I have been incredibly proud to work for organisations with strong brands and compelling customer propositions. Stage Entertainment shares these attributes.”
What’s Next for CFG?
All eyes are now on CFG’s leadership to see how they will fill the vacancy. The group must decide whether to promote from within or search the global market for a successor capable of balancing the group’s high-growth ambitions with the current need for improved financial efficiency.