MARK HUGHES 

Here we go again. Another 'new era' for our club, as yet another manager is paraded to the public. Wednesday June 4th 2008 was no more than a normal day for most people, but for Manchester City it could well prove to be a pivotal day in it's long and chequered history. The club have never shirked away from publicity. On too many occasions that publicity hasn't always shown the club in a good light. City have given the media opportunity after opportunity to either praise or ridicule them. As long standing City fans we have become immune to such stories and tend to treat them with a pinch of salt.However we are not averse to speaking our minds. If the Club deserve criticism we criticise, equally if praise is due then we praise.

 

So where do I stand on the appointment of Mark Hughes?

Before answering my own question, lets take a quick look back on events leading to his appointment. Some twelve months ago we witnessed the sacking of Stuart Pearce. The takeover of the club with Thaksin assuming control. The arrival of former England boss, Sven G E. New arrivals on the playing side adding to the excitement of this 'new era'. Elano, Geovanni, Petrov, Bojinov, Bianchi and others joined the club in the latest revolution. The season started well and progressed better than imagined.........but as is 'typical' City it imploded after Christmas. Though we were realistic enough not too get carried away with our new found 'success' it was nevertheless frustrating to see our season peter out the way it did. When the inability to win games, the insistence on playing the sole striker continued, some sections of the crowd did begin to question Erikssons ability to lift the players and to implement plan B. No plan B appeared to exist and as a consequence comparisons of his managership of England began to surface. Given the progress we had made and we had done. it semed churlish to have doubts about the manager but that is the nature of the beast. Football fans have been known to have a fickle trait to their character. The same accusing fingers can also be pointed at club chairman as well.

When the speculation regards Svens future at the club broke, it was regarded as somewhat unbelievable given the nine months we'd just witnessed. Thaksins state of mind was questioned in some quarters including myself. Why was a manager not even one year into his reign being discarded on the whim of a chairman who had welcomed him into the fold with open arms, a drum roll and all the razzamatazz only months before. Something had obviously gone drastically awry. Much speculation abound but with no real definitive reason for his dismissal. We wait with baited breath for stories to unfold that give some indication as to why we found ourselves searching for another manager. Given City's history with managers, we have broken the mould a little this time. History shows that the club have parted company with countless managers over the years but that has come about because of the failure factor. This time failure isn't really applicable........disappointment yes........but failure no..........so it's fair to say that Eriksson's dismissal has raised more questions than answers. But move on we must, which brings me to my original question on the appointment of Mark Hughes.

The deal to bring Hughes and his backroom staff was resolved in double quick time. This would indicate that both parties were extremely keen on each other and that a mutual respect was in evidence. Hughes is his own man. If he manages like he played then his commitment to the club will not be in doubt. His work ethics worked wonders at Blackburn. He had the ability to turn average players into good players. He proved his ability to work in a tightly controlled finacial situation. He moved Rovers forward following their decline after winning the Premiership title. Three cup semi finals, top ten finishes, European football, success in the transfer market all makes good reading. An impressive C V by any standards. His record in the Premiership, both as a player and manager says much about the Welshman. It mustn't be overlooked that his first job in management with Wales was a great learning curve that has obviously stood him in good stead for the future.

Forget his connections with our great rivals and neighbours, that is the past. Done dusted and forgotten. Don't see that as a problem. See it for what it is. Testimony of his ability and knowledge that can surely only be of benefit to our club. Hughes isn't swapping the red shirt for a blue shirt, he is purely swapping one managers seat for another. Not everything formerly red has been bad for City. Schmichael and Cole weren't exactly failures were they. Mark Hughes is the epitome of what professional is all about. I welcome his appointment with open arms. His coming to our club has stirred up excitement akin to how I felt when Keegan arrived at the club.

 

 

If you are a doubting Thomas, put those doubts to one side, forget your paranoia, give the guy a break. If his appointment proves to be a success and we see real progress and hopefully a trophy then Mark Hughes will be our hero.

 

Geoff Stevenson

 

                     

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