Man City fans "will be able to watch their players prepare for games next season" when a new glass tunnel is installed at the Etihad Stadium, sources said, according to Jonathan Smith of ESPN.com. The club "is set to revamp the ground," which was built for the Commonwealth Games in '02, moving the changing rooms to the first level of the main Colin Bell Stand. And as part of the renovations, "a new executive lounge will give a view" of the Man City and away team players as they emerge from their dressing rooms "before descending a flight of stairs to the pitch in full view." Work has already begun on the construction, "which is set to be open in time for next season." The tunnel will be the first of its kind in the Premier League although there is "a transparent entrance" at the NFL Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium. As part of the renovations, "supporters can dine in the new executive lounge before moving to padded seats" close to Manager Pep Guardiola's dug-out (ESPN.com, 8/24). In London, Ian Ladyman reported the scheme "may yet draw comment from opposition clubs who may not be thrilled" by the idea of their players being visible after leaving the field at full and half-time while "still full of adrenaline and emotion." ManU, for example, has "previously complained at the use of a camera in the tunnel" which shows footage of players coming off the pitch broadcast on the Man City website (DAILY MAIL, 8/23).
