Ferran Soriano Compte, born in Barcelona in 1967, serves as the chief executive officer for Manchester City, New York City, and Melbourne City. His career spans professional roles in telecommunications, entertainment, and consumer goods, alongside management consulting. He balances these operational responsibilities with a seat on the board of the European Club Association, having joined the governing body in 2023.
Early Career and Management Consulting
Soriano holds an MBA and business studies qualifications from ESADE, the New York RPI, and Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium. In 1993, he co-founded Cluster Consulting, a management firm. His professional background also includes positions at The Mac Group and Reckitt Benckiser before he transitioned into the executive leadership of football operations.
Tenure at Barcelona
In 2003, Soriano joined the board of Barcelona following the election of Joan Laporta. Serving as the club’s economy vice-president and interim CEO, he oversaw a significant financial turnaround. During his five-year term, annual revenues grew from 123 million euros to 308 million euros, converting a 73 million euro loss into an 88 million euro profit. He resigned from the board in July 2008 following a vote of no-confidence.
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Soriano became the chairman of the Catalonia-based airline Spanair in April 2009. The carrier, which received government support after being acquired from SAS, aimed to establish a transport hub at the Barcelona airport. Despite cost-cutting measures and revenue improvements, the airline halted operations in January 2012 after a potential deal with Qatar Airways collapsed.
Expansion at Manchester City
Appointed CEO of Manchester City on 1 September 2012, Soriano focused on reducing the club's financial deficits. In 2013, he moved to replace manager Roberto Mancini with Manuel Pellegrini. Under his strategic oversight, the club initiated an expansion model, including the acquisition of an MLS franchise in New York and an A-League club in Australia, Melbourne Heart.
Legal Disputes
Soriano faced several legal challenges during his career. In 2014, a judge cleared him of allegations concerning unauthorized email surveillance of Barcelona staff. Additionally, while he was initially found liable in the 2012 Spanair bankruptcy, an appeal court overturned the decision in 2016. Judges ruled that the executive team acted in good faith to preserve the airline.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Barcelona
- Citizenship: Spain
- Education: ESADE, UCLouvain, New York RPI
- Languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, Italian, French, Portuguese
- Career roles: CEO, Chair, Vice-President
- ECA Board Membership: 2023
Questions readers ask
Which football clubs does Ferran Soriano manage?
He is the chief executive officer for Manchester City, New York City, and Melbourne City.
Did the appeal court overturn the bankruptcy judgment against him?
Yes. In 2016, the appeal court ruled that the Spanair bankruptcy was fortuitous and the executives had attempted to save the company.
Achievements
- Educated at UCLouvain and ESADE
