Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
OK I've had my fun with Mubarak = Swales but I'm getting a lot of interesting information from various sources and am getting a picture. Whether it's right I don't know but here's what I think based on the evidence I have.
1) In the summer, ADUG have to start talking to Hughes about a new contract and if they don't fancy him for the long term then he has to go then, as the risk is that not talking to him will leave him a lame duck and the club a bit unstable.
2) They discreetly start lining up a successor for then and approach Hiddink. Either under presure from Abramovich or for other reasons, GH turns us down or won't commit.
3) The club move onto Mourinho, who was second choice because he is seen as a more volatile character, who gladly accepts.
4) Abramovich sees the chance to do some damage to us and ensures the Hiddink approach is leaked.
5) Hughes freaks out and threatens to walk, in the same way he did against Thaksin over trying to sell Ireland behind his back. Or possibly he does walk.
6) Whatever, the club have to move fast and get hold of Mancini. To make it look better they leak that they have been talking to him for weeks and he has a long-term contract, even though they've done it in a rush and he is a stop-gap.
7) They call Hughes' bluff and formally tell him he can go after the Sunderland game although he knew he was on a knife edge already, having precipitated the whole thing. Hence why his team were talking to the LMA earlier and he seemed to be saying goodbye.
8) JM is on the phone to KA-M wondering wtf is going on and is told the story. KA-M explains that they have told RM top 4 or nothing and although they don't think that's possible, can't afford to be seen to look stupid again therefore will have to delay JM's appointment if that happens. For which he will presumably be compensated.
This would explain a number of things:
1) Why the news about City approaching GH came out.
2) Why Hughes wasn't sacked on Wednesday night, which was the logical time if you have doubts about his abilities.
3) The persistent stories about RM being a seat-warmer for JM.
4) The haste in which the whole thing was handled.
Thoughts?
1) In the summer, ADUG have to start talking to Hughes about a new contract and if they don't fancy him for the long term then he has to go then, as the risk is that not talking to him will leave him a lame duck and the club a bit unstable.
2) They discreetly start lining up a successor for then and approach Hiddink. Either under presure from Abramovich or for other reasons, GH turns us down or won't commit.
3) The club move onto Mourinho, who was second choice because he is seen as a more volatile character, who gladly accepts.
4) Abramovich sees the chance to do some damage to us and ensures the Hiddink approach is leaked.
5) Hughes freaks out and threatens to walk, in the same way he did against Thaksin over trying to sell Ireland behind his back. Or possibly he does walk.
6) Whatever, the club have to move fast and get hold of Mancini. To make it look better they leak that they have been talking to him for weeks and he has a long-term contract, even though they've done it in a rush and he is a stop-gap.
7) They call Hughes' bluff and formally tell him he can go after the Sunderland game although he knew he was on a knife edge already, having precipitated the whole thing. Hence why his team were talking to the LMA earlier and he seemed to be saying goodbye.
8) JM is on the phone to KA-M wondering wtf is going on and is told the story. KA-M explains that they have told RM top 4 or nothing and although they don't think that's possible, can't afford to be seen to look stupid again therefore will have to delay JM's appointment if that happens. For which he will presumably be compensated.
This would explain a number of things:
1) Why the news about City approaching GH came out.
2) Why Hughes wasn't sacked on Wednesday night, which was the logical time if you have doubts about his abilities.
3) The persistent stories about RM being a seat-warmer for JM.
4) The haste in which the whole thing was handled.
Thoughts?