PEP Guardiola Helps Launch New Manchester City FC Kit and Speaks About Recent Visit to Abu Dhabi

Manchester City FC’s new manager, Pep Guardiola, has delivered a message to fans in the Middle East as he helped launch the club’s new kit.

The Catalan, who previously managed both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, spoke about the value of meeting supporters all over the world.

His comments came as Manchester City revealed the new Nike kit for the 2016-17 season, which is the most innovative they have ever had and features the new design of the club crest.

Guardiola said: “I am extremely excited to join Manchester City. It was a great pleasure to be in Abu Dhabi recently for planning meetings, which gave me an even greater understanding of the Club’s ownership. The level of hospitality I found there was so warm and it is obvious how visible City fans are across UAE and beyond. I’m looking forward to meeting more of them in the future.”

The new home kit combines the club’s traditional City blue with darker blue detailing that takes its cues from the colour of the new crest’s text and trim.

This represents an aesthetic update for a club that is cementing itself amongst Europe’s elite.

Befitting Guardiola’s renowned attention to detail, the club’s new match and training apparel incorporates cutting-edge Nike AeroSwift technology designed to enhance mobility, reduce weight and remove the distractions that hamper performance.

Two tributes to the club are also knitted into the design: the word “CITY” at the back of the collar, and, on the inside of the cuffs, “EST 1894” feature as another reminder of the club’s storied history and reference to the new badge.

The new kit will go on sale in the UAE and in more than 60 stores across the Middle East from July 14.

All Nike and Sun and Sand Sports stores in the region will have the kit on sale, with name and number printing available in large shopping malls in the UAE.

Since the purchase of the club by HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Manchester City has become increasingly popular in the region.

In addition to more supporters following the club, there are also the successful City Football Schools in Abu Dhabi and the Sky Blue membership scheme run by Etihad.