Jim Tolmie's Underpants
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We better not capitulate over this! See bottom of article.
Mark Hughes given new vote of confidence
Mark Hughes has received fresh boardroom reassurances about his future at Manchester City, with chief operating officer Paul Aldridge stressing that the club's ambitious new owners "believe very much" in the manager.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:44PM GMT 22 Dec 2008
More time: Mark Hughes has been told Manchester City's owners "believe very much" in the under-fire manager Photo: REUTERS
City have made little secret of their long-term Champions League ambitions, but will still be in the bottom three of the Premier League over Christmas after going a month without a win.
Aldridge, though, said that new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan remained appreciative of the time that Hughes would need to implement change at Eastlands.
"Clearly no one is comfortable where we are but I think the new owner is very pragmatic and understands things don't happen overnight and that it will take time for Mark to build the team, the squad and the ethos of the club how he wants it," said Aldridge.
"They have been very vocal in saying they are prepared to give him that time. Garry [Cook, the executive chairman] and the owner are very pragmatic about it.
"They believe very much in Mark so they can say no more. All we can repeat is what the owners and what the chairman have said that they are backing Mark."
Significant changes are expected at City in the January transfer window, though Aldridge played down recent stories relating to player discipline. "There is no underlying problem or major issue at our club, absolutely not," said Aldridge. "It's not nice to read that sort of stuff but it's a little bit out of our control. We are probably interesting news at the moment, these things go on at a lot of clubs and it probably doesn't make any news."
The future of Elano, who previously said that he was "disappointed and sad" at not playing, is in particular doubt after he was left out of the squad to face West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Hughes said that the decision related to Elano's recent performances, while Aldridge reiterated that the manager would have control over the January transfer strategy.
"Once Mark has made the decisions, we will try to accommodate him and get the players in," he said. "He agrees with our strategy that we have got to get the correct valuation for the market. The owner is constantly consulted on progress of the scouting and decision-making.
"Mark has been over and spoken to him – he plays a full part as any owner or chairman would do but he understands that the manager has to ultimately make the call.
"You have to make sure you are comfortable with the other aspects of the player, the temperament, whether you think he will settle, whether you think he will go into your style of play. It's not about playing fantasy football.
"The owner has said that he wants to make Man City a very big club and, to do that, we need big players whether this window or the next window. It won't happen overnight so we may have to be patient."
City are also attempting to find a compromise with FC Copenhagen after the scheduled date for their Uefa Cup first leg match against the Danish side fell just two days before the Premier League match against Liverpool on Feb 21.
With Liverpool due to face Real Madrid in the Champions League the following Wednesday, it is unlikely that Rafael Benitez will want to push the match against City back to Sunday, Feb 22.
Copenhagen cannot move the fixture to Wednesday, Feb 18, on their ground because there would not be sufficient time for them to relay the pitch after a concert on the preceding Sunday.
"The worst that will happen is probably reverse the fixture if that it is possible or we have to play Thursday, Saturday," said Aldridge. "We are working with them and they are trying hard. I think we have to announce the dates by Jan 5 so we have got a bit of time."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...Mark-Hughes-given-new-vote-of-confidence.html
Mark Hughes given new vote of confidence
Mark Hughes has received fresh boardroom reassurances about his future at Manchester City, with chief operating officer Paul Aldridge stressing that the club's ambitious new owners "believe very much" in the manager.
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 11:44PM GMT 22 Dec 2008
More time: Mark Hughes has been told Manchester City's owners "believe very much" in the under-fire manager Photo: REUTERS
City have made little secret of their long-term Champions League ambitions, but will still be in the bottom three of the Premier League over Christmas after going a month without a win.
Aldridge, though, said that new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan remained appreciative of the time that Hughes would need to implement change at Eastlands.
"Clearly no one is comfortable where we are but I think the new owner is very pragmatic and understands things don't happen overnight and that it will take time for Mark to build the team, the squad and the ethos of the club how he wants it," said Aldridge.
"They have been very vocal in saying they are prepared to give him that time. Garry [Cook, the executive chairman] and the owner are very pragmatic about it.
"They believe very much in Mark so they can say no more. All we can repeat is what the owners and what the chairman have said that they are backing Mark."
Significant changes are expected at City in the January transfer window, though Aldridge played down recent stories relating to player discipline. "There is no underlying problem or major issue at our club, absolutely not," said Aldridge. "It's not nice to read that sort of stuff but it's a little bit out of our control. We are probably interesting news at the moment, these things go on at a lot of clubs and it probably doesn't make any news."
The future of Elano, who previously said that he was "disappointed and sad" at not playing, is in particular doubt after he was left out of the squad to face West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Hughes said that the decision related to Elano's recent performances, while Aldridge reiterated that the manager would have control over the January transfer strategy.
"Once Mark has made the decisions, we will try to accommodate him and get the players in," he said. "He agrees with our strategy that we have got to get the correct valuation for the market. The owner is constantly consulted on progress of the scouting and decision-making.
"Mark has been over and spoken to him – he plays a full part as any owner or chairman would do but he understands that the manager has to ultimately make the call.
"You have to make sure you are comfortable with the other aspects of the player, the temperament, whether you think he will settle, whether you think he will go into your style of play. It's not about playing fantasy football.
"The owner has said that he wants to make Man City a very big club and, to do that, we need big players whether this window or the next window. It won't happen overnight so we may have to be patient."
City are also attempting to find a compromise with FC Copenhagen after the scheduled date for their Uefa Cup first leg match against the Danish side fell just two days before the Premier League match against Liverpool on Feb 21.
With Liverpool due to face Real Madrid in the Champions League the following Wednesday, it is unlikely that Rafael Benitez will want to push the match against City back to Sunday, Feb 22.
Copenhagen cannot move the fixture to Wednesday, Feb 18, on their ground because there would not be sufficient time for them to relay the pitch after a concert on the preceding Sunday.
"The worst that will happen is probably reverse the fixture if that it is possible or we have to play Thursday, Saturday," said Aldridge. "We are working with them and they are trying hard. I think we have to announce the dates by Jan 5 so we have got a bit of time."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...Mark-Hughes-given-new-vote-of-confidence.html