MANCHESTER CITY MANAGERIAL PLANS:MANCHESTER CITY'S owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, gave unequivocal backing to Mark Hughes last night to continue as manager after their first face-to-face meeting since the Abu Dhabi United Group's €250 million takeover of the club.
Hughes, along with the executive chairman, Garry Cook, held a two-hour meeting with the sheikh in Abu Dhabi, in which he outlined his long-term strategy for City and, crucially, revealed how he intends to spend the lavish funds that will be at his disposal in the January transfer window.
City's new owners are believed to want further acquisitions in the Robinho-mould as they look to increase the global profile of their investment, while Hughes is seeking proven Premier League players to address the weaknesses he has identified in the squad. Those targets include Roque Santa Cruz of Blackburn, Lassana Diarra of Portsmouth and Chelsea's left-back, Wayne Bridge.
Hughes arrived in the Middle East yesterday under intense pressure at a club that talked openly of Champions League qualification this season but currently finds itself one point above the relegation zone. He flew back to Manchester last night, however, with public assurance that he remains the man to fulfil the sheikh's lofty ambitions for City.
Sheikh Mansour said: "Mark shared with me his plans for how the team should be developed. His strategy is compelling and he has my absolute mandate to implement his plans to evolve this team in the right way over the short, medium and long terms."
Cook presented Sheikh Mansour with a 200-page document on how to improve various aspects of the club, as he did to the board before Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Tottenham. The sheikh added: "I find that both Mark and Garry share an ambition for success and the enthusiasm and capability to deliver on that ambition. I'm delighted at the potential for both men to positively impact the evolution of Manchester City FC in its entirety.
"I fully endorse the plans approved by the Manchester City board that Khaldoon, Mark and Garry shared with me tonight. They reflect our shared aim of seeing Manchester City Football Club evolve to become a significant force in the world of football.
Guardian Service
