City lost the battle, for sure, 3-1 on the night, 4-3 on aggregate, but it would be foolish to rule them out of the turf war. The detractors who would like the Arab riches to fall on stony ground, and for City's years without silverware to extend for more decades, are fond of imagining that Mancini's grip on the club is a precarious one which may end this summer. But the Italian has a security which his predecessor, Mark Hughes, lacked. The club's chairman, Khaldoon al-Mubarak, wants Mancini to hit the 70-point target in the Premier League this season which Hughes agreed to at a board meeting in August, but the Italian will still be in situ next season if he does not.The whole article - with insights into Garry Cook and his relationship with the owners - is fascinating but this is good news if true. Providing we don't tank and finish fourteenth I'd be quite keen for us not to change manager again in the summer.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Herbert: Mancini safe
Ian Herbert of The Independent has a long article in Friday's Independent, claiming that Roberto Mancini is safe as manager even if we fail to make it to the 70 points / 4th place target:
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5 comments:
Mancini unlike Hughes has warmth as a human being.
The scarf is a statement to us from him. He does seem to understand us and in a lot of ways reminds me of Allison circa 66-68.
We are at our best with a manager who has fallen in love with the club. I hope the old lady works her charm on him.
I sincerely hope both men are very secure in their jobs. The vibes are good, and the club is getting things right on and off the pitch.
@Feed the goat
While I certainly share your sentiment re:Mancini I think you may be being a little harsh on Hughes. While Mancini is an upgrade over Hughes the fact remains that Hughes fought tooth and nail for this club and as Jack has documented, was instrumental in strengthening the foundation of this club (Sparkyisation). The man may not have the warmth of Mancini but he certainly had grit and determination in spades. Part of Mancini's smooth transition owes to the hard work Hughes did for us and I think we'd do well to remember that.
I echo what pjdemers has written. Much of what Hughes did was behind the scenes, turning the training ground into a professional set up rather than just a clubhouse where the players met up during the week for a run out. He instilled a professional pride in most of the players. Like any organisation, there are alwasy those who will be resistant to change, especially when it does not suit them. Those players (Dunne and Hart excepted)have been shown the exit door. The squad now is a more cohesive unit than it has ever been since City's return to the Premiership under Keegan.
Absolutely right you two. Hughes will come in time to be remembered as the man who carried the piano for his successors to play. This club has come a million miles from Sven's leisure club and its mangy facilities and Hughes deserves our gratitude for the part he played.
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