Manchester City doesn't usually do things by halves, but the 2024/25 Manchester City fourth kit is something else entirely. It isn't just another polyester shirt designed to squeeze a few more pounds out of the global fanbase. Honestly, it’s a cultural moment. Most teams release a fourth kit as a "lifestyle" play, something meant for the pub rather than the pitch. But when PUMA decided to collaborate with Noel Gallagher to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the seminal Oasis album Definitely Maybe, they tapped into a specific kind of Manchester magic that you just can't manufacture.
It’s called the "Definitely City" kit.
If you grew up in the 90s, you remember the cover of that album. The beige room, the fireplace, the slightly bored but incredibly cool rockstars lounging around. The kit takes its color palette directly from that living room scene. It's a light straw base with bold blue panels and pinkish accents on the sleeves. It sounds like it shouldn't work. On paper, mixing those colors is a risk. But seeing it on Erling Haaland or Jack Grealish? It works. It feels like Manchester.
The Noel Gallagher Connection and Why Design Matters
Noel Gallagher isn't just a fan who shows up for the trophies. He was there during the Maine Road days when the club was bouncing between divisions. That's why this Manchester City fourth kit feels authentic. Noel actually helped design it. He wanted something that echoed the 1994 aesthetic without looking like a costume.
The design features a subtle ripple effect, a nod to the sonic waves of the music that defined an era. It’s weirdly poetic. Usually, kit designs are inspired by "the architecture of the stadium" or some other corporate buzzword. This is different. It’s inspired by a feeling of a specific Tuesday in 1994 when British guitar music took over the world. PUMA leaned heavily into the nostalgia, but they kept the tech modern. It uses the ULTRAWEAVE fabric, which is basically light enough to float away if you aren't careful.
You've probably noticed that the kit was primarily used in European competition. That’s a specific UEFA rule thing. Premier League rules on kit rotations are surprisingly strict, so the "Definitely City" look became the unofficial uniform for the Champions League away days. It’s a smart move. It gives the kit an air of exclusivity. It’s not the shirt they wear against bottom-half table teams on a rainy Saturday; it’s the shirt they wear under the bright lights of the Bernabéu or the San Siro.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Special Edition Kits
There's a cynical view that these releases are just cash grabs. Kinda true, but also kinda not. For a club like City, which is constantly fighting to prove its "history" to rival fans, leaning into the Oasis connection is a power move. It links the modern, dominant era of the club with the gritty, cool cultural heritage of the city itself.
Fans were divided at first. Some thought the colors were too muted. Others thought the pink trim was a bit much. But then the pre-match collection dropped—the tracksuits, the bucket hats, the oversized jackets. That’s where the vision really came together. It wasn't just about a jersey. It was about a "vibe." If you go to the Etihad today, you see as many people in that cream-colored fourth kit as you do in the classic sky blue.
One detail people often miss is the handwriting. On the back of the neck, the "Definitely City" text is in Noel’s actual handwriting. It’s a tiny touch, but it’s the kind of thing that makes a collector’s item actually worth collecting.
Technical Specs and the PUMA Philosophy
PUMA has been pushing the envelope with City for a few years now. While Nike and Adidas often stick to templates, PUMA seems to give City a bit more leash. The Manchester City fourth kit is the pinnacle of that freedom.
The material isn't just "breathable." It’s engineered with specific moisture-wicking zones that correspond to heat maps of the players' bodies. If you’re playing at the intensity Pep Guardiola demands, you can’t have a heavy shirt. The crest is heat-pressed, not stitched. Why? Because stitching adds weight and can cause chafing over 90 minutes of sprinting. Every gram matters when you're chasing a Treble.
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Interestingly, the sales figures for this kit reportedly rivaled the primary home shirt in certain markets. That’s almost unheard of for a fourth kit. It suggests that the "crossover" appeal—music and football—is a stronger driver than just team loyalty alone. You have Oasis fans who don't even watch football buying this shirt just because it’s a piece of Noel Gallagher memorabilia.
How to Style the Fourth Kit Without Looking Like a Full-Kit Wanker
Let’s be real. Wearing a full football kit to the shops is a bold choice, and usually a wrong one. The beauty of this specific kit is that it actually pairs well with normal clothes. Because the base color is a neutral "straw" or beige, it looks great with dark denim.
- The Casual Look: Pair it with straight-leg jeans and some clean white trainers. Keep the shirt untucked.
- The Retro Look: Throw a navy Harrington jacket over the top. It frames the collar and hides the sponsor just enough to make it look like a vintage sports piece.
- The Matchday Look: Go for the matching track top. It’s iconic for a reason.
Avoid the matching shorts unless you’re actually on the pitch or at five-a-side. Trust me.
Is the Manchester City Fourth Kit a Future Classic?
In twenty years, people will be hunting for this shirt on vintage sites. It has all the ingredients of a classic. It’s tied to a legendary musical act, it was released during a period of unprecedented dominance for the club, and the design is unique enough to stand out from the sea of blue shirts.
There was some controversy regarding the "oversaturation" of kits. Some supporters feel that having four kits in a single season is an unnecessary burden on the fans' wallets. It’s a fair point. But when the product is this tied to the identity of the city, the "it's just a business" argument loses some of its sting. People want to own a piece of this era.
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The 2024/25 season is likely to be remembered as a turning point for how clubs handle their branding. We're seeing more of these high-concept collaborations. But few will have the genuine emotional weight of City and Oasis.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Fans
If you're looking to pick up the Manchester City fourth kit, don't just grab the first one you see on a resale site. There are "Replica" and "Authentic" versions. The Authentic is the one the players wear—it’s tighter, more technical, and significantly more expensive. The Replica is better for casual wear as it has a more relaxed fit and embroidered logos that last longer in the wash.
Check the inner tags for the PUMA authenticity code to ensure you aren't buying a knockoff. Given the popularity of the Oasis reunion and the anniversary, the market is flooded with fakes.
Keep the shirt away from the dryer. The heat-pressed logos on the special edition kits are notorious for peeling if they get too hot. Air dry only. If you’re buying it as an investment, keep the tags on and store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to prevent the straw color from fading.
This kit isn't just polyester and ink. It's a tribute to a moment in 1994 when a band from Burnage told the world they were going to live forever, and a club from the same streets decided to actually do it. Whether you're a Blue or just a fan of Britpop, the "Definitely City" jersey is a rare example of a marketing department actually getting the soul of a city right.