The Citizens are 13th in the Premier League at the moment, a position which wouldn’t seem so bad if it wasn’t for the mass hype that accompanied their takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in September. Since their 2-1 home defeat to Spurs on Sunday, there has been much speculation surrounding the future of manager Mark Hughes.
Indeed, The Guardian reports that the Welshman initially feared that he was getting axed after hearing that Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan wanted to see him in the United Arab Emirates for a meeting. However, it seems that the new City owner continues to have faith in the man who did so much to improve Blackburn’s fortunes over a handful of seasons.
Mark Hughes initially feared he could be sacked when he heard that Manchester City’s new owner, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wanted to see him in Abu Dhabi, the Guardian has learned. Hughes feared the worst, according to one senior source, until he was assured that his job was safe and that he will be entrusted with as much money as he wants in the January transfer window.
He is due to fly to the Middle East today for his first face-to-face talks with the sheikh before returning tomorrow night to prepare his faltering team for a run of three games – starting at Hull City on Sunday and followed by home games against Arsenal and Manchester United – that could conceivably determine his future.
There is little doubt that Sparky is under pressure at Eastlands after a string of poor results, especially away from home, where they have recently lost matches at Middlesbrough and Bolton. However, will the Manchester City get things right in the long-term, especially when he can start to make his own signings and get shot of the squad members that he feels are not pulling their weight?
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