Didsbury Dave said:
I saw a clip of mansour's son leading the players around training, and I think he came on the pitch before the friendly game. Whilst something feels a tiny bit uncomfortable about this, it's also a damn good thing for City, if mansour's heir (and it appears, apple of his eye) is City daft.
"What do you want for Christmas, Little Boss? Just say and it will be yours"
"Dad, I want the Champions league"
I understand what you mean by uncomfortable, but I think it is a modern reaction to what once was a very natural course. Although it has generally gone out of vogue in most Western countries, training your sons and daughters (though, the latter is unlikely in this case—one of the less than pleasant things about our ownership) in your profession or vocation is still practiced in baking, cooking, carpentry, plumbing, etc. It used to be much more prevalent for management and entrepreneurship, as well, but schools of higher learning slowly took that role (for better and worse). It was not uncommon to see a lad of nine helping his father with the books or watching the register at the family business. It was an apprenticeship and legacy development wrapped into one. There were certainly issues with the practice (most troublesome being forced child labor and/or when the offspring did not want to follow in their father/mother's footsteps) but generally I thinks there is a real need for a responsible version that has been forgotten.
I enjoy seeing the lad running about, both experiencing childhood and learning the ropes. It will hopefully give him fond memories and help him discover his talents and abilities for the future.
