Manchester City FC can confirm that it has today terminated the contract of Mark Hughes.We'll allow the news to sink in first before passing judgement on the decision. However, we wish Sparky all the best for the future.
In giving reason for the termination Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said:
"Prior to the current season beginning, with significant investment in players and infrastructure in place, the consensus between the Board and coaching staff was that appropriate agreed targets should be set for the 2009/2010 season.
"The targets were agreed as a result of the player acquisition strategy of the club being radically accelerated in the summer as a result of very favourable conditions for any buying club. It was also based on the fact that the infrastructure of the club had been overhauled completely at great cost in order to create the best possible environment for the team.
"A return of two wins in 11 Premier League games is clearly not in line with the targets that were agreed and set. Sheikh Mansour and the Board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change. This is a particularly difficult announcement given the personal investment over the past 15 months on all sides and we would like to put on record our respect for and thanks to Mark Hughes and we wish him the best in his future career."
Manchester City Football Club can confirm the appointment, with immediate effect on a permanent contract, of Roberto Mancini and are also pleased to announce that Brian Kidd will join Roberto as assistant manager.
Commenting on the appointment, Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: "Roberto is a hugely experienced manager with a proven track record of winning trophies and championships. His experience and track record speak for themselves. What is absolutely clear is that Roberto believes in Manchester City’s potential to achieve at the highest level and importantly in his own ability to make this happen. My hope is that our incredible fans will join us in welcoming Roberto to the football club."
Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Kevin Hitchcock and Glyn Hodges have also left the Club and further appointments will be announced in due course.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Breaking News: Hughes OUT
Official club statement:
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Andy's trip to Australia — P: 27, lost only 4...
Having been pretty pleased this season to only lose one game up until Wednesday's smashing by spurs, I started to wonder how many games we had actually lost since I arrived mid-April. It's only 4, and these games were against only 2 teams (Spurs and United) and 2 grounds (you should know now...).
We have played 27 competitive games (including the last leg of the UEFA Quarter Final against Hamburg, still a technical win) and also beaten Barca 1-0 at the Nou Camp whilst also beating Arsenal twice, Chelsea once, point from Liverpool, and made it to a semi-final.
So if there are any Sparky critics reading this, just consider how far we have come in a few years, and take comfort in the fact that we are having far less heart attack endings and suicide inducing performances than a few years ago.
UP THE BLUES
We have played 27 competitive games (including the last leg of the UEFA Quarter Final against Hamburg, still a technical win) and also beaten Barca 1-0 at the Nou Camp whilst also beating Arsenal twice, Chelsea once, point from Liverpool, and made it to a semi-final.
So if there are any Sparky critics reading this, just consider how far we have come in a few years, and take comfort in the fact that we are having far less heart attack endings and suicide inducing performances than a few years ago.
UP THE BLUES
Friday, December 18, 2009
Adz on the current situation
Sydney Blues member Adam McKnight takes some time out of his World Tour Of The World to share his thoughts on the dilemma at City. Use the comments page to have your say.
The Positives
We are owned by the most generous football owners in the world. For me it’s not a matter of if, it’s when. They have upgraded the club completely from the basics in infrastructure, to the talent within the squad. They have a winning mentality and they want us to become a powerhouse in world football. They would be watching our reactions and making their opinion on Mark Hughes like the rest of us. They are patient business people with realistic goals. Until they can acquire the services of someone more suited to the role then Hughes won't be going anywhere (at least til seasons end). You take a look at Pompey, Notts County and whoever else to see that our owners are the real deal, we should be so ever grateful.
We are into our first semi-final in years and could be lining up at Wembley. The sheer prospect of another date with Wembley is mouthwatering and at the start of the season if you said you can have a cup final and a top 6 finish (which our owners outlaid) I would have taken it in a flash.
The squad is the most talented we have had in years and the potential they could reach is that of the top 4 standard. The game vs Chelsea was one of the most inspiring performances I've seen from city outfit in a very long time and if Hughes can find a bit more winning stability, the one that he has found in drawing then we could be onto something special and long term.
The Negatives
I won’t comment on the money but it’s a lot, luckily for us our owners have long pockets. Mark Hughes has done a ‘ok’ job and guided us into a position to challenge the top 6, but is he capable of doing any more then that? His tactics at times have been awful and when people come out and blame Sylvinho for being caught out vs Spurs, we all must remember that he was a signing of Hughes… and not the right one.
The biggest frustration is all the draws. So many "wastes of two-points" and if we had somehow got a goal or killed of the games then we would be right up there this year (which is the most weakened league for years). If we had won these games then people would be calling Hughes a masterstroke, but we are not.
The other negative is the sheer negativity of supporting Hughes. I for one am not his biggest fan, nor do I think his the man to take us forward. However if the owners support him, then we should support the owners. They have pumped a lot of money into the club and let us dream of bigger and better things.
At The End Of The Day
We are sitting nicely in the league and over the Christmas period we can notch up some points against some weaker teams. Beat United at home then we will be sitting pretty again. The season is not even half way through yet and people want to make conclusions.
Our owners will be watching patiently and they will make the right decision, at the right time. Yes I’d love to be playing Champions League football and holding up some form of silverware, but I know if it doesn’t happen this year, then it’ll happen next year.
Keep the faith lads, and lets sing our hearts out til the seasons end. Then make our conclusions.
City 'til we die,
Adam
The Positives
We are owned by the most generous football owners in the world. For me it’s not a matter of if, it’s when. They have upgraded the club completely from the basics in infrastructure, to the talent within the squad. They have a winning mentality and they want us to become a powerhouse in world football. They would be watching our reactions and making their opinion on Mark Hughes like the rest of us. They are patient business people with realistic goals. Until they can acquire the services of someone more suited to the role then Hughes won't be going anywhere (at least til seasons end). You take a look at Pompey, Notts County and whoever else to see that our owners are the real deal, we should be so ever grateful.
We are into our first semi-final in years and could be lining up at Wembley. The sheer prospect of another date with Wembley is mouthwatering and at the start of the season if you said you can have a cup final and a top 6 finish (which our owners outlaid) I would have taken it in a flash.
The squad is the most talented we have had in years and the potential they could reach is that of the top 4 standard. The game vs Chelsea was one of the most inspiring performances I've seen from city outfit in a very long time and if Hughes can find a bit more winning stability, the one that he has found in drawing then we could be onto something special and long term.
The Negatives
I won’t comment on the money but it’s a lot, luckily for us our owners have long pockets. Mark Hughes has done a ‘ok’ job and guided us into a position to challenge the top 6, but is he capable of doing any more then that? His tactics at times have been awful and when people come out and blame Sylvinho for being caught out vs Spurs, we all must remember that he was a signing of Hughes… and not the right one.
The biggest frustration is all the draws. So many "wastes of two-points" and if we had somehow got a goal or killed of the games then we would be right up there this year (which is the most weakened league for years). If we had won these games then people would be calling Hughes a masterstroke, but we are not.
The other negative is the sheer negativity of supporting Hughes. I for one am not his biggest fan, nor do I think his the man to take us forward. However if the owners support him, then we should support the owners. They have pumped a lot of money into the club and let us dream of bigger and better things.
At The End Of The Day
We are sitting nicely in the league and over the Christmas period we can notch up some points against some weaker teams. Beat United at home then we will be sitting pretty again. The season is not even half way through yet and people want to make conclusions.
Our owners will be watching patiently and they will make the right decision, at the right time. Yes I’d love to be playing Champions League football and holding up some form of silverware, but I know if it doesn’t happen this year, then it’ll happen next year.
Keep the faith lads, and lets sing our hearts out til the seasons end. Then make our conclusions.
City 'til we die,
Adam
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Tottenham Hotspur preview
Big game Thursday morning against Tottenham, who harbour similar ambitions of breaking the top four. This could well be a match that defines the season of both sides.
Cheers Bar will be open for this clash, so you can join us at the eye-watering time of 7am. Apparently they do coffee and toasted sandwiches, if a schooner is too hard to stomach that early in the day.
Tottenham are coming off a shock home 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton, and City had their eighth draw in nine games on the weekend at Bolton.
Nigel De Jong is still a doubt with swine flu, and Shaun Wright-Phillips is doubtful with an ankle injury. Sylvinho will most likely play again in place of long-term injury Wayne Bridge.
We have a simply disgraceful record against Spurs, with a 2-1 win in Sven's season the only time we've taken three points since that remarkable FA Cup tie in 2003-04. Looking back over recent clashes at Shite Hart Lane, there's a clear trend that should appeal to those punters amongst us.
2004-05 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Reyna)
2005-06 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Samaras)
2006-07 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Mpenza)
2007-08 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Bianchi)
2008-09 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Bojinov)
So, there's a few options for some cash here, $3.30 for the draw on current form is nailed on, and the 2-1 loss is value at $9. Or, if you're more confident than I am, a City win will pay $3.15.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Manchester City 1
Statistics courtesy of mcfcstats.com, odds courtesy of Sportingbet.com.au
Cheers Bar will be open for this clash, so you can join us at the eye-watering time of 7am. Apparently they do coffee and toasted sandwiches, if a schooner is too hard to stomach that early in the day.
Tottenham are coming off a shock home 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wolverhampton, and City had their eighth draw in nine games on the weekend at Bolton.
Nigel De Jong is still a doubt with swine flu, and Shaun Wright-Phillips is doubtful with an ankle injury. Sylvinho will most likely play again in place of long-term injury Wayne Bridge.
We have a simply disgraceful record against Spurs, with a 2-1 win in Sven's season the only time we've taken three points since that remarkable FA Cup tie in 2003-04. Looking back over recent clashes at Shite Hart Lane, there's a clear trend that should appeal to those punters amongst us.
2004-05 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Reyna)
2005-06 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Samaras)
2006-07 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Mpenza)
2007-08 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Bianchi)
2008-09 v Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 1-2 (Bojinov)
So, there's a few options for some cash here, $3.30 for the draw on current form is nailed on, and the 2-1 loss is value at $9. Or, if you're more confident than I am, a City win will pay $3.15.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Manchester City 1
Statistics courtesy of mcfcstats.com, odds courtesy of Sportingbet.com.au
Monday, December 14, 2009
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