ESPN Soccernet - Soccernet Comments - Hughes falls foul of City’s instability

Posted by Jon Carter on 12/19/2009

In hindsight, it was one of the more obvious managerial changes in the Premier League. While there have been precious few top bosses removed this season – Paul Hart at Portsmouth being the first – Mark Hughes has been on borrowed time at Manchester City since the world’s richest club revealed its ambitions.

Despite publically backing Hughes, the Abu Dhabi-based group have had their eyes on someone else for some time. Whether it was this week’s revelation that Guus Hiddink had been targeted after Russia’s exit from the World Cup play-offs or Roberto Mancini’s sudden presence at Eastlands to watch what eventually turned out to be the Welshman’s final match, it was coming.

City’s ambition is hard to fulfil and Hughes has paid an unfair price for failing to match it. With the number of quality players they have they expect to be higher in the table but, in reality, sixth is a decent start for a side that has effectively been completely rebuilt from scratch in the past year.

City’s owners want Champions League football – a position the club are only four points off at the moment – but City’s fans are simply happy to be at the right end of the table for a change. There won’t be many at Eastlands who will be pleased with the prospect of changing bosses at such a crucial point in the season, but the cash-rich owners obviously want to give carte blanche to the new man before January arrives.

And therein lies the problem. High-profile transfers dominate their minds, but the hope of watching the world’s greatest players ply their trade in Manchester is unrealistic. Kaka proved that when he chose Madrid. Stability is what is needed this season and, when Kaldoon al-Mubarak gave his backing to Hughes after City's run of seven straight draws, it appeared he was getting just that.

A damaging 3-0 defeat to Tottenham (only their second this season by the way), evidently turned the tables and the owner’s true colours have shown. Quite simply, it is a rash decision and, if Roberto Mancini really is the best they can come up with, then there are bigger problems afoot.

City run the risk that all those who chase the ‘galactico’ dream suffer. They will never be able to attract a world-class manager if stability is not in place and it would be no surprise at all if Mancini makes way for someone else in six months’ time.

By signing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Kolo Toure, the club showed good sense in recruiting competent Premier League players who could aid their drive up the table. In sacking Hughes, all that good work has been undone and it is worth noting that no world-class player will want to be part of a side that changes their manager every few months.

Comments

Posted by Adam Duke on 12/19/2009

Always excellent writing Jon. Mancini was a decent enough manager at Fiorentina and Lazio but had the most success when he suddenly found himself in charge of a team of some of the world's best players, as he did at Inter and will do in Manchester. I am sure City's owners are hoping Mancini can recreate Inter's domestic success. But if Champion's League football is truly what they are after, then surely there are better choices than Mancini, who never did anything in Europe?

Posted by Chris Foo on 12/19/2009

In sacking Mark Hughes as abruptly as they themselves arrived, the owners have shown their true colors.
But if they're right in doing so, then Sir Alex Ferguson should have been sacked by Man Utd two decades ago. And what of Rafa Benitez?
Mark's been at City less than two full seasons. He should be afforded at least that much time. Then judge him. He's been the most stable aspect of the club for as long as I've supported City these past 39 years.
It's a sad day. Football owners deserve what they get, I suppose.

Posted by poolcarpet on 12/19/2009

"...no world-class player will want to be part of a side that changes their manager every few months"

Are you sure about that? Real Madrid comes to mind.... I disagree with this sacking of Hughes too, but sadly, it seems that instant results are all these rich owners are looking for.

Chelsea is a very good example, I'm pretty sure that if Roman had stuck with Mourinho, Chelsea would have added a few more trophies.

Posted by Alex on 12/19/2009

People have said that City are acting like everyone else, but if that was the case then why was Hughes not sacked this time last season when City were in the relegation zone?

Hughes has had 18 months on the job, and the Abu Dhabi investment group have been rather patient after a turbulent first season.

More importantly, City might not have lost more than twice but they have combined to throw away far, far too many points. Consider how far City would be up the table if:

* They kept Hull out and locked up the game at 1-0
* They didn't allow Fulham to recover from 2-0 down
* They were able to defend properly and not fall behind three times before finally drawing with 10 men to Bolton

Additionally, City were outclassed by Birmingham. For large portions of the game Wigan posed a much greater threat than the Mancunians. Abu Dhabi did not spend hundreds of millions of pounds to see performances reminiscent of last season.

A change was required.

Posted by spanzo on 12/19/2009

This is a decision reminiscent of Mike Ashley's masterly demolition of Newcastle United. For a fan of another team competing for fourth place (Villa), it's the best news ever. City were making ominous, steady progress under Hughes, and I was sure they were going to eventually do really well. As it is I'll be really surprised if they get anywhere near fourth this season, and as the article says they'll just keep chopping and changing and never getting anywhere, no matter how much they have to spend.

Posted by Andrei on 12/19/2009

Roberto is a good coach, however..I can't think of a better choice then Mourinho or Hiddink.

Posted by tedaj007 on 12/19/2009

Totally agree with you.. I think the city bosses have made a really bad decision in sacking Hughes. I was rather surprised to see Mancini appointed. They should have gone for Hiddink, a proven world-class manager. Good luck, City.

Posted by ramon on 12/19/2009

Jon, these owners inherited Mark Hughes when they bought the team and gave him 18 months to prove himself... Although I would have liked to see MH finish this season too, calling it a 'harsh' decision seems a bit exaggerated to me. A harsh decision would have been firing MH when they took over, in the winter of 2008 when City were in relegation places, or at the end of last season where he left the team in the same spot that Sven did when he got fired. Fact is instead, they supported Hughes with massive amounts of money in two transfer window.
Now, let's see how much patience they have with Mancini, if they don't give him an equal amount of time (18 months), then I will agree with you... But Hughes got at least a decent chance to prove himself.

Posted by Elisha on 12/19/2009

Jon, It hasn't been a few months, it's been a year and a few months and that's the problem. Theres is marginal improvement from last year to this despite 200 million pounds in talent coming in. That's not a good return on investment! Still just 2 away wins, still beating big boys like Arsenal and Chelsea and not showing up against teams like Burnley, Bolton, Hull and Spurs! A culture change at the top is needed and it's evident by such inconsistancy.

Posted by CiTyBlUe on 12/19/2009

As a 34 year life long City fan, I am Happy Hughes has been sacked though wish him the best of luck for the future.

On the other hand I know Roberto is a good coach but much prefered Mourinho, no one can predict the future, no one.

Posted by Pallav Purkayastha on 12/19/2009

History has repeated itself. By getting rid of a competent manager, the cash rich owners have again shown a lack of grace and hastiness.
While Mourinho was at Chelsea for 3 years, they won almost everything on show. Since his departure and into their fourth manager since, they have yet to win the league.
Mancini is a very excellent manager with three straight Serie A titles ot his name. But one wonders, how long before he too gets the boot? A run of barren spell for City and he too would be on his way.
Players with history of baggage, mood swings and tantrums - read Robinho, Adebayor, do not win honours for you. Dedicated, talented and hard working players do. With the likes of Kaka and Terry ignoring City's courting, you wonder why any other superstar player would not do the same?
A team comprising Given, Barry, Tevez and Bellamy as its spine is certainly good one to start building a team upon. Good luck Mancini!

Posted by Stephen123 on 12/19/2009

It is sad to see Mark Hughes go. I believe is a very good manager. However, Mark paid the price for not delivering based on the sort of environment and investment being made a city. I not too sure about Mancini. I would have love to see a Hiddink or Mourinho. But, I think he will do for now especially in the premier league. Mark will rebound in time, definitely as a better and more manager.

Posted by Matt on 12/19/2009

Honestly, it sounds like the owners should just wait till the end of the season and try to buy the trophy off the winners. They clearly have little interest in building a world class club as much as they just want to hold silver in their hands. I'm still shocked that they seem to believe that they can just spend their way into the top four without any learning curve for a completely new squad. Good luck to the new manager who has to deal with those kind of unrealistic expectations. I'm sure he'll have a chance to reflect on his decisions when he watches his replacement take over in 6 months.

Posted by James on 12/19/2009

As a Man City fan I have mixed feelings on this development: our close history is fraught with instability and lack of commitment to the cause, and although the reasoning for sacking Hughes is just, it smacks of dishonesty. Unrealistic expectations from the owners will always make a mockery of the game, and I fear that is case here. How long will Mancini last?

Posted by Darkman on 12/19/2009

I am highly disappointed about this issue cos I wonder what makes the Abus feel they can just get into the top overbight,Chelsea were regulars in intop four before the take over and that gave them the courage to win the league...city belongs to the uefa class so I wonder what makes them think the top four is a pizza...in addition the league is not over yet...they've been showing qulaity and class in couple of matches and that was a great development for me ...they would get somewhere coming years if they had continue with him...mancini would fine premiership tough cos in England anything can happen....get ready to be sack in less than a year Mancini....

Posted by John Fletcher on 12/19/2009

Having been a city fan for almost 50 years there have been many times I could have said enough is enough and drifted to the red side of town. But loyalty means more than success even at the expense of silverware. Too bad the current Owners didnt remain loyal to Mark Hughes for the rest of this season at least. Unforntuneately he who pays the piper calls the tune and we can only hope that Mr Mancini can impress us with his orchestrations on the field as much as his namesake Henry Mancini did by winning a record number of Grammy awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement. But then a lifetime achievement in the Premier League can only be claimed by a few including the Knighted maestro from the red side of town. Most others rarely get the chance when the piper isnt calling the tune.

Posted by Nicholas Lee on 12/19/2009

Just when you thought Man City were slowly coming together, they sack their manager mid season and bring in an Italian speaking manager with no experience in the Premier League to take over. Great! As a Man U fan I normally would cry tears of joy, but this sacking is a poor poor decision. Expect Mancini to suffer the same fate as Scolari at Chelsea. As someone above said, unless they get an excellent manager, not a good one e.g. Precious one or my hero Guus, Man City will find it tough to crack the top 4, including Villa and Hotspur also being excellent challengers.

Posted by amadeus on 12/19/2009

Liverpool should go for Hiddink

Posted by dave on 12/19/2009

What a sad sad day for football.

Posted by Jhon on 12/19/2009

Unwritten law of modern football...sad but it's reality

Posted by Steve Povah on 12/19/2009

Appalling behaviour from owners who have no real respect for the game of football in this country. Turning our football clubs into “trinkets” for wealthy overseas businessmen, is ruining the fundamentals and clouding judgement; I will return my season ticket in the post tomorrow.

Posted by mark on 12/19/2009

I really liked MH, given time he's the right choice. Brilliant as a player, done wonders as the Welsh coach, and at Blackburn. Give the boy at least 3 years.....

Posted by Sebastian on 12/19/2009

Mancini will only last until end of this season. He too will get the golden handshake. They will not qualify for Champions League as that is is too difficult for them. The team is just not good enough. Top six maybe at best. Hiddink will then be appointed for next season. That is all planned for. Good luck to all Man City fans.

Posted by nick on 12/19/2009

YES now hughes can come to manchester united like he was always meant to. his time at city has convinced me hes the guy we need after sir alex leaves. hahaha city are going to regret this

Posted by JOOVAH on 12/19/2009

I AM VERRY SORRY HUGUES.But when owners going to invest their hard earned money then the managers should also have the responsibility and should decide at that time itself...its too late but correct decision if ur thinking that you have invested money. But choise of manager is another mistake it could have been mourinho (who will not take this job because he wants to follow Alex ferguson) or GUS Hiddink(who refused to leave russian national coach job).Lets see what happens i think mourino and hiddink are the fastest tacticians and can easily adapt any team intead of forcing the team to play in their regid system.

Posted by seyi on 12/19/2009

Its a real pity but I guess the arabs deserve to choose whosoever they feel will deliver the goods hey cheer up Blue Manchester, Mafia Mancini is not so bad but may not really understand the EPL this is not italy!

Posted by dare on 12/19/2009

I can totally understand what the Abu Dhabi consortium are hoping for, top four and champions league football, though I don't agree with the shady way they went about publicly backing Hughes, then doing an about turn on him. What Hughes needed was world class defenders, its all good to have world class offensive minded players, yes they might score tons of goals, but it helps little if the defense is allowing just as many... word of advice to the next man at the helm, City have class going forward.. shore up at the back!!!

Posted by Joe on 12/19/2009

Tough luck for Hughes but good news for the other top teams, Mancini will rip the team apart and bring in his own players which will set city back a year or so. The other top teams will swoop and take what decent players they have in Barry, Ireland and Toure. Expect the cycle to continue and by this time next season they will be looking for another manager.

Posted by kono on 12/19/2009

Nice one, now City can sink back to where they belong, no CL football, as a Villa supporter i'm quite happy, after watching the game today me and my drunk friends could score on a set piece against City, the manager isn't on the field and that's where the problem lies, like the Pistols said No Future.

Posted by dare on 12/19/2009

Posted by oeo on 12/19/2009

As a fan of Man City, I was relieved of this sack. It was a long time coming as it was obvious MH does not have the managerial skills and technical cpmpetence to put the stars together. Despite the host of quality and world class players in the squard, the team lacked the skills to play great football. They played like the team in the lower bottom of the league (just kick up front and hope somethings happens) with no clear cut objectives. Great change!!!!!!!

Posted by oeo on 12/19/2009

Posted by Nicholas Phua on 12/19/2009

Mancini is one manager who won 3 italian cup with 3 different teams (Fiorentina, Lazio and Inter) and 3 consecutive league titles with Inter before he was replaced by Mourinho. Look at Inter now and you will see the difference when Mancini was around. You are now having a coach who has lots of experience as a player and as a coach. He even rejected to be the assistant manager of Alex Ferguson recently so the deal should make it even sweeter for City fans. And as for those who do not know him at all, he is a legend at Sampdoria! He do not need to be compared to Henry Mancini who is a legend of different profession. I for one is a Man city fan now as long as Mancini is around and i'm sure there will be more City fans from today onwards... All the best to the one and only Roberto Mancini and i hope that City will be a top 4 team this season and Mancini could carry on with his cup success in England!

Posted by hilmi shehu on 12/19/2009

I am not Man city, but having money, the woners cannot give wings to players and coach. Mark did excellently. But guess what, owenrs forget that ball is round, other temas can score and win too. Changing coaches for the moment, is like put on old tire in the snowy road whch has definitely lead to send the car to mechanic shop. Mancini is no good at all than MH.

Posted by hilmi shehu on 12/19/2009

Posted by Nnamdi eze. on 12/19/2009

I think the owners do not know that it takes time to build a wining team like manchester united. All same, good luck to mancini.

Posted by Rovers 'til I die on 12/19/2009

Just another Rovers manager who thought he'd better himself at a "big" club.

Posted by sayantan on 12/19/2009

great writing jon.i do not think that mancini has what it takes to be a good manager.he never got anything worthwhile while at inter and the story is going to be same at eastlands.mark hughes was a decent enough manager and did what he needed to build a great team.these millionaires want immediate results and have no patience.........be it abrahimovich or mubarak, this theory has been proved right again.....sadly for football.

Posted by Tony on 12/19/2009

"Appalling behaviour from owners who have no real respect for the game of football in this country. Turning our football clubs into “trinkets” for wealthy overseas businessmen, is ruining the fundamentals and clouding judgement; I will return my season ticket in the post tomorrow."

Can i have it?

Posted by Craig J on 12/19/2009

Hughes put himself under great pressure by being such a stift really. He needs to work on man management skills and work his way up from the botton again. He'll be at Hull City next week. Mancini will give it his best, he speaks perfect English and Spanish so he wont have any problems with the players he's got there. I look forward with eyes wide open.

Posted by toyin on 12/19/2009

this action is unhealthy for football globally, it is reminiscent of the sacking by mutual consent of jose mourinho.

even nature acknowledges and allows the human race time to develop, mubarak, you didnt grow up in 18months to be who you are today.

Posted by eRic on 12/19/2009

I'm not a city fan but for those of you saying the owners pressed the panic button too early is being unfair to them. They gave MH 18 months and it doesn't seem like anything is changing. Sure City are sitting 6th and have only lost 2 games but those ties they picked up especially when City was up are unacceptable. Some of the city fans have been saying Hughes has made a mess with his starting line up and hasn't figured out who should start in the Midfield because we all know that where they won their games(I'm a Chelsea fan and I know that's where the battle was lost that day). Mancini like Mourinho(when he came to Chelsea) has inherited a good roster all he has to do now is get them motivated and ready for play. Good luck to Hughes but this was his own doing not the owners.

Posted by Anonymous on 12/19/2009

Well, this is all down to business. Hughes was not delivering the results. Any investments of such magnitude requires to bring about immediate result. For those who say they must emulate MU who stick by Fergie, I say LOL!!!! This is 2010 not 1980s anymore! Chelsea have bought success, so it can be done. Time is no longer a valid excuse.

Posted by mrc22 on 12/20/2009

MH wasn't much more than a caretaker manager to begin with....Abu Dahbi have always had their hearts set on Guus or Jose. They never saw MH as a long term solution, but credit to them they gave him a shot. The Spurs match was the last straw. Mancini worries me due to his lack of EPL knowledge, but he's a top class manager. He can't be any worse tactically than Sparky. I just hope he isn't another short term solution. We need some stability more than anything right now.

Posted by Andy Teow on 12/20/2009

First of all, let me say that I'm happy for Hughes to have left such a troubled club.

Manchester City, having spent more time in Division 1 or rather the Coca Cola league than the Champs League or even the Uefa Cup, will never be the next Chelsea, regardless of the pounds spent.

When Abramovich bought Chelsea, they were already a stable top 6 side playing in Europe. Abu Dhabi purchased a Man City team fighting off relegation.

For those who felt Hughes was given a lot of time, think again. In the first season of Abu Dhabi's rein, he only had little changes in the squad. This summer, it was almost an complete overhaul! He only had less than 6 months with this "new galatico" squad!

I believe that no top class football league in the world can have a "brand new(freshly bought)" team win the league in the first season, all the more not one without stability.

If Hughes had stay, I would say Man City might have a chance to sneak a place in the top 4.

Posted by Shazad on 12/20/2009

Mancini is a brilliant manager. The Inter team that is still top of Serie A is thanks to Mancini. All Mourinho has done is make them not as good to watch. I think City will def finish top 4 now! Good luck Mancini!

Posted by john on 12/20/2009

who be nice if rafa got the sack

Posted by ken smart on 12/20/2009

I think he was in way to deep and the job was over his head. I dont like the selling of good players -- his my way or the highway style is yesteryear and he is not a good modern man.
Let him go to a mid table team and keep them afloat with cheap buys.
Goodbye and good riddance

Posted by ken smart on 12/20/2009

Posted by John in B.C. on 12/20/2009

Nobody has a bigger reputation for defending (nationally) than the Italians. In the January transfer window City will be able to pick up 4 or 5 excellent defenders and easily finish top four. (Which available manager would know the Italian defenders worth signing better than Mancini?) Although it will be close, Aston Villa will fade, they really don't have the depth needed for a long arduous spring, and it is the same with Tottenham. I'm sure that Mark Hughes could have done it too. They need 4 or 5 defenders and one more centre-midfielder, and maybe another winger. What I want to know is who is the genius that thought Robinho would be able to play in England? Is there anywhere where he can be anything more than an add-on? Maybe he could star in the MLS. Or the Spanish 2nd division. Easily the most overrated piece of self-love in football.

Posted by ElJefeFinal on 12/20/2009

No doubt this is a sad day for long time City fans. Unfortunately, like in politics, it doesn't come down to who you'd rather have a pint with, but about points in the table. Hughes, when faced with rising to the occasion, simply did not have the fortitude to change the mindset of his players. 250 million is simply too large an investment to not, now at the opening of the Jan 2010 transfer window, have the ability to attract the world's best with clear CL ambitions. The run of draws really spotlit Hughes' lack of total command. Mancini is going to have it even tougher unfortunately and I do not expect him to make it a full year, as CL is too much to be expected this year. I expect Mourinho or Hiddink will be at the helm if Mancini doesn't make Europa and make a good showing there. I salute Hughes for his ambition and class while at Man City and hope he stays in the Premier League (as long as its not at as ManU's assistant). I'm still not convinced it is truly all his fault.

Posted by Toyan on 12/20/2009

6th place and two losses is not a bad position knowing where Manchester City are coming from. The fact that you spend millions on a club doesn't guarantee success. Unlike Chelsea that have always been close to the top four I can't say the same for City. 150 million pounds doesn't mean the top four will roll over and die, they spend money to and that's long term. So what the Arabs are saying is that 150 million quid invested in MK Dons should guarantee Europe in two seasons. I'm sorry but that isn't football and that's why I have a problem with rich club owners

Posted by Nicoacademia on 12/20/2009

I think the owners were clever enough to know that fundamentally they had George Bush at the helm.

Man City's tactics were always awry and the fact that they could ship 6 goals in two matches just meant that Mark/George(look a like) had gotten it wrong.

The fact it took him that long to see that Richards couldn't even play anymore. The fact that Mark only knows 4-4-2(blackburn days). And the fact that they can't produce results that mattered - chomping up smaller teams and holding on to leads - meant that this George Bush look-a-like was always going to end flat on his face.

He should do well however with another blackburn type club.

Posted by bob phil on 12/20/2009

WHAT THE!!! hughes fired? he was doin pretty ok. even though they had many ties in the season, there is still more time to prove him self. and his result this season is waaaaaaaaaay better than last season when they were on the other side of the table and even were in the relegation zone for some time.
i agree with john when he says "By signing Gareth Barry, Carlos Tevez and Kolo Toure,(Adebayor shoul be mentioned too.) the club showed good sense in recruiting competent Premier League players who could aid their drive up the table. In sacking Hughes, all that good work has been undone and it is worth noting that no world-class player will want to be part of a side that changes their manager every few months."

Posted by Boniface Tambwe on 12/20/2009

MH had to go. He was not not good enough for a team that invested heavily during the past two transfer windows, and yet still struggling against smaller opposition. He did not have a clear game plan, a football philosophy of any kind, and the team was leaking goals worser than the Titanic taking water. Mancini is a good choice and he continental style approach of football will warrant the owner's choice. Rafa came and did it with Liverpool, "The Special One" did with the chelsea, Roberto will deliver with city. You will all see a different Robinho, a motivated Adebayor, and better defender will relegate Lescott to the bench where he belongs. As a City fan living in the US, this could not have been a better day with a snow storm hitting us, the smaller team from manchester loosing against fulham, and MH finally getting the sack. Good luck to him with bolton, hull city, or new castle needing managers of his limited ability...

Posted by yslim on 12/20/2009

it seems that mancini is not a popular choice as city fans are looking at gus n jose. i beg to differ though - at least mancini is better looking than hughes! no seriously, he won at Inter after 26 years, imagine the pressure he must have faced before the wins! he did it again and again and with a bigger and bigger margin! He managed adriano and ibrahimovic, which are never easy personality. will he be successful in city? I have no doubt he will.

Posted by Chris Foo on 12/20/2009

I disagree with "Anonymous." Check your facts.Do you have the foggiest idea how much Sir Alex spent before he landed his first championship? The only thing that's changed in football since the 80s is that money's come into play. It seems to be the only prerequisite for success. So it begs the question...how much will it take to buy a championship? And then what?
Fact is, Mark was a mere seat-warmer, the "Unchosen One" so to speak. The Arabs have been grossly hypocritical in their show of support for him. I mean, for Pete's sake, City are only into their 17th league game, are in the Carling Cup Semis, have lost only 2 games. Let's be candid, if you've followed City for the last 3 decades, that's not decent. That's as dramatically impressive and stable. Everyone wants success. But the greater goal and good is for STABILITY. And for the latter it takes more than money.

Posted by siak on 12/20/2009

I am a LVP fans for more than 20yrs. I dislike MU, but only 1 player I respected alot.....HE IS SPARKY MARK!

I wise him all the best! Go find another club, build your own empire!!

C U SOON!!!!

Posted by siak on 12/20/2009

I am a LVP fans for more than 20yrs. I dislike MU, but only 1 player I respected alot.....HE IS SPARKY MARK!

I wise him all the best! Go find another club, build your own empire!!

C U SOON!!!!

Posted by FootieGuy on 12/20/2009

i'm surprised the club owners didnt pick Guus Hiddink. I think Guus Hiddink had done a really amazing job at Chelsea last season given only short period of time. I suppose Guus Hiddink can recreate the "shine" at Man City as well.

Posted by Vince Tang on 12/20/2009

Hughes is no doubt a great player; but his appointment to take charge a 'big' team have always been in question. His relationship with Robinho is a major deterrant factor to keeping the team moving further. It was also clear there was a lack of motivation by the leader who have other class player in the team at his disposal. I feel for his relatively short tenure; but a change of management is inevitable under the current climate of result-based philosopy. I very much hope we can see the full potential of Manchester under the new leadership of Mancini. He has all the credentials to push City into the Big 4.

Posted by grigshot on 12/20/2009

MH is only good at creating a team od battlers like at Blackburn. At Man City with so much "luxury" players he's clueless at fielding a winning team. Put him at a struggling team and I'm sure he will be able to keep them up!! He is just not the top class manager that Man City needs. Nuff said.

Posted by Vince Tang on 12/20/2009

Posted by Arsenal on 12/20/2009

As a arsenal fan, i m not happy to hear MH has sacked. If he continues, it would b less threaten for us. Roberto is a better coach of cos compare to MH for BPL. but as u all said, the owner target is to play CL at the moment n Roberto could do it. but to get silver ware, a golden hand shake might occur again. So, appoint Rafa Benitez later :)

Posted by geoff lambert on 12/20/2009

Mancini; its the same as most of the player purchases that have gone on at Eastlands in the last year - not to bad but not quite world class. SWP, Bellamy, Santa Cruz, Tevez, Barry et al. The Special One or Hiddink would have been a statement of intent, but Mancini, is he going to attract the worlds best to Manchester. I don't think so.

Posted by Anonymous on 12/20/2009

It didn't make sense that Hughes was kept on to begin with. Why would the owners invest so much money in the club and spend so much on new players, only to be managed by an unproven manager? Surelly you would start with a sucessful manger to begin with?

Posted by Anonymous on 12/20/2009

I disagree.. look at Chelsea, how many managers have they changed and yet they attracted and keep attracting the best players. Keeping Hughes is not maintaining stability but incompetency; he is not getting results and world class players will sooner or later decide themselves that they do not want to play for him anymore..

Posted by Rodney on 12/20/2009

Good riddance!

Posted by Rami on 12/20/2009

Just because the club changed a manager for the first time, and a manager that they didn't recruite in the first place doesn't mean it is "a side that changes their manager every few months". This is not Chelsea, but even Chelsea changed multiple managers and still managed to remain in the top 4 and reach the semi final and final of the Champions League. You must be a Hughes fan from when he was a player and feel bad for him, thus your article.

9 out of 10 people will agree that Hughes is a mid table coach. He is not a top 4 or champions league coach. As such, and with 2 wins in 11 games, the owners are not only justified by replacing him with a manager that has consistently proven to take his team to the top of the league, but has also taken them to the Champions League.

It is clear that Hughes has lost control of the team (look at the Tott game).

In this particular case, change is good.

Posted by rob on 12/20/2009

Wellthe timing may be off but the decision was right, Mark Hughes had to go given the time in charge and two transfer windows the culture at city has changed little Sure they are playing good Football butthey have always been capable of that consistancy is what is needed and that will come after they sack Mancini and employ Mourinho but then will a manager of his class take on the job of death. Stability is needed at the top after 50= years of being a city fan it is not surpriseing that our miost successful stint was under Joe Mercer.

Posted by Akinro on 12/20/2009

mancini is a good coach,not too sure bout his winning of d serie A.1 was by default,1 they inter was by far the better team,the rest were struggling for second,then the third they fought for it.he will manage the dressing room which is key,but if the owners of man city do not give him time like they did to mark,then building a world class club is a waste of investment.i personally would have given Mark till the end of the season.that is what scared The Best Coaches from Madrid,lack of Stability.I wish both coaches The Best.

Posted by Steven on 12/20/2009

I would like to see MH become MU's manager when AF retires. And see him crashes city...

Posted by tri tran on 12/20/2009

the new manager might change things aroundthis is not good

Posted by Terry Robinson on 12/20/2009

Mark Hughes just doesn't not have the mentallity to be head honcho of any championsip chasing club. He doesn't and no other English or Welshman does, they only understand kick and run, thats just what City are a "kick and run team" I have beeen a football and City fan for close to 70 years, City are not the only crummy club, watch most premier clubs are just kick and run merchants, it is going to take a continental to show us the way the game should be played.Mark Hughes should not complain, he must have picked up a small fortune for his poor performance, just like all the managers who preceeded him, I have not problem with that but even so good riddance Mark Hughes, I hear that Brian Kidd might be coming on the scene, that will be another big blunder.

Posted by cuba on 12/20/2009

Good riddance. That's modern football. MH isn't the first and wouldn't be the last. If you can't stand the heat leave the kitchen.

Posted by cuba on 12/20/2009

Good riddance. That's modern football. MH isn't the first and wouldn't be the last. If you can't stand the heat leave the kitchen.

Posted by Larryjnr on 12/20/2009

I saw it coming .Hughes was just the architect of his dismissal from the moment he failed to bring in perfect and skilled defenders.What are we talking about he decided to approach games in an attacking flair with clever midfielders,Resolute dead ball finishers upfront with the likes of tevez,bellamy,Ade.And leaves the rear guard with gallavanting defenders who simply watch the ball run past them lol.

Let mancini assemble a perfect back four and city is unbeatable.Lescott I guess should return to where he came from,Toure please return to arsenal.Terry city needs you,Thomas vermallen city needs you,Patrice Evra city needs you,Gael clichy city needs you.Arent we rolling yes we are........

Posted by Larryjnr on 12/20/2009

Posted by Coz on 12/20/2009

I predicted this would happen since close to the end of last season. I just did not see Mark Hughes skillfully managing the pool of talent he had. Skillful internationals as Elano sat on the bench as MC lost games.
Robinho brought a spark to MC and he has proven his capacity and capabilities. He elevated the team and brought some exitement. MH failed to build on this. The fault is not Robinho but MH!
MH's ambitions during the transfer window also raised many eyebrows and reflected a disconned vision - brute football with hign end players sitting on the benc at any cost.
He was not the right coach for the project!
Coz

Posted by LastManStanding on 12/20/2009

At last, Sven has the last laugh. His protege is in-charged. Mancini is his man.

Posted by Alex Nelson on 12/20/2009

I want to tell the Man city billionaires that you can never get instance succesess in preimiership.Priemiership is not a league for the mediocre team.i want to say that the names and past records in in the league speak not the calibre of player you got.take for exampls Arsenal and Aston villa, even Man United.this team has no big names player but they have been consistence on the table,its not the player but the name of the club and fans base that is working for them.but Mancity cannot stand them in anyway they are very consistence,bcoz of their names and achievment. Mark hughes should have been remain to continue his job.i Want to say no matter the kind of coach or player in Man city.Man city will still be at the back of Aston villa,Toteham And Everton.
Nelson from Ogun state in Nigeria

Posted by Dee on 12/20/2009

What City have to realize is that they are the outsiders, with an outside chance at the top no matter what they do. Whether that changes in my generation or not City are not the power house in Manchester despite the claims of all the mancunians. United are top and the red half of Manchester or England for that matter considering the constant plea that United fans dont live in Manchester, will be the ones who are making headlines and be in the race to win the titles. The words "you saw me standing alone without a dream in my heart" come to mind because that is all they will have.

Posted by Dee on 12/20/2009

Posted by Max on 12/20/2009

I am not a city fan, I am a united fan it it sad in the world of football when managers get sacked because of players not performing to their ability. But look at the players city bought, apart from Tevez who got medals for Premier and Champions League, There is no other champion on the city team,
let's be real MH got it wrong when spending city's millions on players, It takes time to build championship teams asked the best manager in the world by far Sir Alex.
How many Championship Teams has he Built Bruce,Cantana,Keane,Yorke,Ronaldo,Rooney to name a few

Posted by Bdubz on 12/20/2009

mark hughes wasnt the right man for manchester city for this moment. if they want world class players coming to them they need an experienced manager. in my opinion it was the right choice in sacking hughes but im not sure about mancini.who knows what lies ahead for the blue side of manchester.

Posted by Dan on 12/20/2009

Lets face it....Hughes had to go. As an avid Man City fan, it was only a matter of time. Nice enough guy, but not a top 50 manager. Buying 6 strikers is not good business.

Posted by Jimy on 12/20/2009

That change was required from the begining when abu-dhabi group bought the club, they should had bring world-class manager, not Hughes, to start the new era for Man-city, but still its not too late, and although i think mancieni is not the best choice , i believe he can do well in his new assisgnment.

Posted by rasta mule on 12/20/2009

The results for lofty expectations have not been meet, City has looked average in too many games against teams with far less talent. This is not good enough with a 200 million dollar investment. The team plays with no chemestry most of the time and needs a manager that can get all these players on the same page. City's team defense has been a mess since the departure on Dunne and the adition of Lesscott.

Posted by Murf on 12/20/2009

People say Real Madrid changes coaches, but it has enough history, fame and respect to attract any player.

And Mark Hughes should have been atleast given the season. Its true, its not the old days anymore. Chelsea have bought its success. But they were smart enough to keep their managers for the season. This is the worst time for a manager change. Its just before the transfer season. Who knows who Mancini will buy and destabalise the club. Maybe his star management skills will help bring more discipline in defence. And Petrov might get a chance, because I do think he is the more efficient player, unlike Robinho or Phillips who may have the flair but not necessarily the results.

Posted by Carlos77 on 12/20/2009

If you are really a City fan, you have to think with you head and not heart.
The UAE investors came and put a lot of money to elevate City to the 4 biggest teams in England. But City under MH was inconsistent and did not develop good football. MH is good, but not good enough for a club which amibitions is to become a world-class team. The owners knows football very well and that's why they choose Mancini who is a world-class manager. If you say that Mancini did not have success in Europe, then you don't know football since it has been always like that with Inter (before him it was the same case and know with Maurinho it's the same case). And by the way, Italians coachs are the best in the word (you can't deny it), just look at Capello and Mancini.
City fans you have to be supportive to the owners who are commited to change City forever and invest a ton of money from their own pocket. There are a handfull of owners who are willing to do so today, so City fans you are very lucky.

Posted by awandrew on 12/20/2009

Hughes has built half of a decent City team in the time he has been given.
City is a great attacking side but its defence is crap.It is where it is on the league table because its star strikers couldn't put in more than they gave away from the back.
Given Hughes' CV as a top class striker as a player, City need someone, like Mourinho, who could cut down the waste at the back to the minimum, making every goal scored count.Then City will find themselves up the table.

Posted by Ofori on 12/20/2009

Luv that

Posted by anthony on 12/20/2009

Mark Hughes was realistically never going to live up to the expectations of the owners. The fact that the owners put in millions of pounds into a team that has changed drastically in the past year shows a meaning of intent to make the top 4. I feel sorry for Hughes, as he is a great manager who did an excellent job at Blackburn. However it was always known that he was working on borrowed time at City. A switch of the manager was always in the back of the minds of the owners since the day they took over. However to draft in Roberto Mancini is a surprise. I don't imagine him doing any better than Hughes. Bringing in a manager who doesn't speak English and has no Premier League experience is not an improvement. In my opinion however, this is a good time to do the sacking because of the upcoming transfer window. Hughes was given time to show himself and although was only beaten twice this season, was a victim of too may draws. I always thought that Hughes was better with smaller clubs, w/e

Posted by Oduenyi on 12/20/2009

I'd have had some sympathy for Hughes if he had been less cocky about the new squad he bought. The talents of the likes of Adebayor, Tevez & Toure are not in doubt but character was always a scarce element in the assemblage. I hope Mancini can deal with that...for hisown sake

Posted by ruslie on 12/20/2009

Its horrible to see Mark Hughes sacked by the owner who want the success at short time. I don't think lost only two games is bad. If the MC rich owners want buy immediately success why they don't buy club in division 2 or 3. Bring the best players in this planet to the club and then they will can easy win the league trophy. If they think its easy win in EPL by money that is very big mistake, they forgot all teams in EPL want win!!! to Mancini the time will judge you..gd luck!! to the MC rich owner! remember not easy to be top 4, bcoz if u want that, how about MU, Chelsea, Liverpool, Totenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal.. others team also not the chickens!!

Posted by tommyguncelebration on 12/20/2009

Lets remember Mancini's Inter was given the title only because of the match fixing scandal, Juventus really finished in 1st that year Milan 2nd Inter 3rd, the following season all the big teams had major points deducted - again they were given the title Roma were no title contenders, so to me he has won one scudetto only. Lets wish him the best city looked so much better under MH, exciting.

Posted by Col on 12/20/2009

At no time did I feel comfortable with an ex Man Utd player as boss of City. Was his heart truly with the club? I doubted it from the start and feel his sacking was justified.

Posted by Rico on 12/20/2009

Like the beatles songs says: "money can't buy you love" nor chanpionship. If Mancini is such a great manager, why is he out of a job? He was a great playe, but most of the time great player don't become good coaches. Best of luck To M.H.
When will Alex F. job be posted?

Posted by Isaac on 12/20/2009

Khaldoon's got his Mancunians and Merengues mixed up. Thinks he's in Madrid. City are never going to attract the elite - player or manager - till they win something or at least look like they're on the way, which Hughes was doing. Now they've got Mancini, a manager who "somehow" won the league in a Serie A with a crippled Milan AND minus Juve and Fiorentina. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but was it not this same Inter that got spanked by Arsenal 5-1? AT HOME?? How is this a step up on Hughes?

Posted by hhh on 12/20/2009

w e can't predict the future.but one thing for sure,mancini is way better than mark hughes.at least i am sure the team will play great football under him,not the lousy counter attacking,long ball to adebayor type of football.

Posted by Paul on 12/20/2009

Mark Hughes blinded loyalty to his coaching staff got him the sack..Mark Bowen was responsible for the defence, and Shay given apart, its been an inglorious failure. If yer gonna spend £70m on the making the defence better, then make sure you know who you are buying, and for what positions.Kolo Toure is the worst captain at City in the past 20yrs. He has had a mare. In fact his best game for us was when he had Richard Dunne as his partner..since dunney was ousted, he's been poor..Not only him.. Bridge, Lescott, Richards, Sylvinho, Onuoha,Zabaleta..Nobody takes responsibility in that defence, a schoolboy team would score against us..and for that reason alone.. Im glad he has gone.

Posted by keong on 12/20/2009

man city will play an italian style of football,they will try to score then wrap up the game by defending... mancini will bring few top class defenders from serie A i'm sure... so,city fan you guys can see the change soon!

Posted by Mike on 12/20/2009

I think sacking Hughes was the right decision. An artistic coach would have had City perform at least slightly better. They were no different than any other PL club. The downs were more than the ups. Hughes did his best and couldn't go any further with the great assembled team. A coach who knows how to get the best out of his players is what is needed.

Posted by Terence on 12/20/2009

Mark Hughes may not be the right man to lead City to the Champions League, but Mancini may not be the right man to lead City to the league title. Mancini's reign at Inter may seemed impressive, but people forget that 2 of their Serie A titles were awarded because Juve were found guilty of match-fixing and hence awarded the title to Inter. Its fine if all City wants is Champions League football, but if they want to win the league, Mancini may not be the one.

Posted by Basel on 12/20/2009

I hope and wish that Liverpool follows City in firing and sacking Rafa. Liverpool is only going south from here. To save a club, sometimes the coach needs to go and bring a winning attitude. It is a reach tdifficult decision. SAF was given ~2years before winning. Now MU has a good playing. Hughes could not of reach that level execution, and was given almost 2 seasons with top world players. It is not only the standings, it's how they play football.

Posted by David Edge on 12/20/2009

Well as a Lancashire boy living in the states, I think what happened to Hughes stinks. It was a spineless showing by the owners. At least United have a British manager. Their are great British managers I wish ownership in the UK would use them, it seems we ex Pats are more proud of our Heritage than those at home.

Posted by David Edge on 12/20/2009

We are British so are City, Mark Hughes was one of us, we have British mangers we should use them. I am an ex Pat living in California and seem to take my Heritage more seriously than English soccer clubs. Manchester is not in Italy.

Posted by Orkaambe on 12/20/2009

all good. i was surprised when Hughes replaced Sven 18 months ago. I thought that was uncalled for and retrogressive planning. sacking Hughes, though unfortunate, is the right thing to do at this time. his judgment and managerial acumen are suspect. too many draws against weak opposition. he would never have made it into the top four. he's a middle of the pack mentality coach.

Posted by Z Usman on 12/20/2009

Unfortunately football is now business and anyone who invests as much as the new owners of Man City deserves something in return. Finishing 3rd should be the minimum for City considering the level of investment made.

Hughes had 18 months but failed to improve. The owners did the right thing by giving him the axe. It appears he cant handle the expectations. I have no doubt that with the depth of squad at City, they will finish at least 4th with Mancini. Villa with such a small squad will fizzle out towards the end.

Posted by Orkaambe on 12/20/2009

Posted by Sam Anonymous on 12/20/2009

I am just sick and tired of the comments that Mancini has not won anything worthwhile and that this is England, not Italy! In the name of football, he has won 3 Italian cups and 3 consecutive serie A titles and he speaks fluent English and Spanish. What else do you want from a manager to start with??? Ok, what about Chelsea's Ancelotti, who has always played and coached in Italy and has no premier league experience what so ever..and yet he sits at the top of the league!!! By the way, I am a Man United fan

Posted by Jason on 12/20/2009

These owners are in the wrong bussiness to get immediate results is ludicrous , so what if they are world class players , this is football not McDonalds. The team requires time to learn each other in order to become a cohesive team. Hughes is a very good coach and I think what he has done with team in a short matter of time is impressive, 7 straight draws is not a bad result ,look at L.A Galaxy they had 9 straight draws before they started to turn them into wins and then went to the MLS CUP final. It's not smart to speed things up so fast that's putting too much pressure on your players and coach most of all and that could spiral things into a very bad situation., if they finish sixth that's a great result and major improvement from tenth last year(that was a good performance). to be the top 4 took time and effort it's not going to happen over night,these owners believe in the tooth fairy, hughes should have a least finished the season, football should not be structured this way.

Posted by Fabio J on 12/20/2009

This is indeed a sad day for football. Hughes had the backing of the players and fans and City were certainly on the up. Yes, they dropped points to the likes of Hull and Wigan but they've already beaten Chelsea and twice Arsenal (certainly not smash and grab wins either), in addition to the draw with Liverpool and an unfortunate result to United.

I'm not a fan of Mancini nor his style at Inter, and while I have nothing against him, frankly, I hope he finds similar success to Juande Ramos at WHL.

While I'm a Leeds fan, I wish Hughes (as I do Jol and Avram Grant) the best in the future. Football deserves better than this.

Posted by chewie on 12/20/2009

Rome was not built in a day. Nowadays, it seems everything must be instant, people have no patience anymore. MH should have been given more time, at least 2-3 years to build up a championship-winning team.

Posted by Vic on 12/20/2009

I dont really like man city, however mancini is a great addition. Judge him at the end of the season and you will probably forget all about hughes.

Posted by Saintsfan NZ on 12/21/2009

Poor form, City.
Hughes was forced to take the likes of Robinho (who's been pretty unspectacular, by all accounts) and then used the money he was allowed to spend homself on very good buys like Given, Barry, Bellamy et al.
He doesn't deserve to go mid-season, but I can see why they've done it. They obviously intend to pay way too much for petulant superstars in January and they will not stop until they have "done a Chelsea" and bought the title.
Now Officially a non-Man City fan. Feel as much contempt for them as I did for Chelski when they did the same thing to Ranieri and a string of managers in the wake...Does the name Avram Grant ring any bells?

Posted by p.kosgei on 12/21/2009

it was only a matter of time before Arabian money could demand the returns on their investment .Good luck mancini and based on your record i believe its a new beginning for city.

Posted by Za on 12/21/2009

There is no doubt that Hughes is a fine manager, however he is also a manager who has never managed or attracted big players. Dealing with Big Egos is an art form, buying overpriced, over paid mediocre premier league players was hardly what the owners had in mind when Hughes unveiled his transfer dealings. Kaka and John Terry are hardly going to salivate with the opp. to work with hughes, Mancini on the other hand is a top tier manager. Mancini can attract alot of Italian and brazilian stars, he may even placate the inneffectual Robinho. At the very least City will have a better defense.
Bottom line, the players Hughes bought have underperformed, particularly the defense. Too many draws and lack lustre performances have cost him. I wish him the best, he may have been on target with his pre-set goals, but what matters is the way Man City lost at Tottenham (they gave up and Hughes couldnt inspire them), they got thumped, 2 wins in 11 games is hardly European football form.

Posted by Rafiq Mia on 12/21/2009

As an ardent City Supporter I'm totally disappointed they way Mark Hughes was treat , I believe the wrong manager was SACKED ...It should have been COOK and CO...Mark Hughes was making in-roads as he was no far off the champions League spot...New players take time to gel...Although city had too many draws they are still in the top 6..

Posted by hiro-japan on 12/21/2009

I am not a citizens fan but I feel sorry the way they treated hughes mostly after watching their marvelous game against sunderland. If the owners wanted results right away they should have brought ronaldo, rooney, kaka and messi to the city with their huge bank rolling not the better than average players robinho, barry, tevez, adebayor, toure, wright-philips, kompany, give me a break you won't challenge the big 4 with these staff

Posted by Max on 12/22/2009

I have no doubt in mancini ability as a player, I used to watch him in his hay days, I don't think his ability as a manager reflect his playing days,
However managers in the world of football has proven critics like us wrong before, just look at Pep of Barcelona, It's like a Cinderella story.
As for mancini plans of a top four finish I think not, and winning the league the year after, City are far from that,someone should wake mancini up . Congrats to Messi on the world player of the year award, but it's time to help the national team win the world cup in South Africa.
I think Sir Alex should make a couple of January purchase to strength his injured list of players,
although he has proven us wrong on many occasions.

Posted by Boby Shih on 12/22/2009

I guess Mancini wouldn't bring much success to City. First, his style of playing and tactics don't suit very well to the overly physical-minded Premier League. Secondly, too reliant on Robinho. But, even Robinho now gives full commitment to the club, I doubt whether he can change the fortune. In my judgement, he is no longer the same player as it was 4 years ago -- too much parties perhaps, he can only play 60 minutes with impact; not giving his all in training; personal attainment ahead of team achievment; Third,poor defending partnership between Lescott and Toure means chasing for draws rather than wins. Lets wait and see if Macini can stay till the end of this current season. One fantasy thinking is swap the management between Benitez and M Huges may bring dual success to both Liverpool and City !!!!!!!

Post your comment

Name:

Email Address:

Comments:

characters left