Mark Who?
So Hughes is out and Mancini is in. The Italian arrives as second choice; Hiddink turned down the opportunity to take over at Man City weeks ago if you believe what you read. But, was it the right move? Did Hughes deserve the sack and if so, how long will Mancini have given the expectations in Manchester these days?
Mark Hughes was in charge at City for just over 18 months, a period of time that saw him asked to handle the reins at a club that became a monster overnight. As a manager he was handed the biggest purse available to any EPL manager, to construct a team of winners. Most managers would insist on total control of the purse; hell, Kevin Keegan quit Newcastle over such an issue, yet Hughes was given Robinho and expected to deliver big names, something he couldn’t do with all the money in the world.
Hughes didn’t sign Robinho – the new owners did. He was a token sign of change, a sign of intent to all of the EPL’s big guns. Robinho is a nice gift right? Any manager would love to have him in the side, although the Brazilian doesn’t fit into many teams as he requires a free role. Robinho may be very talented but he has shown no balls this season, and no fight. Instead, he just meanders around the hole waiting to perform his one man routine, like a juggler at the circus.
Accommodating such players will certainly pressure your defense. This among other reasons have made City the kind of side that shipped 3 goals at home to Sunderland this weekend (even though they scored 4!), the kind of team that has conceded the same amount of goals at home as Hull and more than Portsmouth, and the same kind of side that has only lost two games away from home this season yet conceded more than they scored. And a team that only failed to score more at home than Chelsea and Arsenal.
Whatever the new money men said to Hughes, instant success was required. To fantasy managers, Hughes’ position must have seemed nice, but demanding instant success and gelling a team of egos is not easy at all. That’s what made the goal of a top 6 finish a realistic one this season and that’s why Hughes was doing a decent job. Egos and effort: both hard to manage at the best of times.
So, that ‘decent’ job… what was Mark Hughes’ record this season?
Man City have lost the fewest games in the Premier League: just twice. Chelsea have lost three, Arsenal have lost four and Manchester United five. Those two defeats were at the hands of Tottenham and Manchester United and both away from Eastlands, and Hughes leaves City 6 points from the top 4 with a game in hand over Spurs, Villa, Chelsea and United.
So the ‘top 6′ was Hughes’ goal, to take all of the new big money players egos and after delivering a finish in the top 6, have an eye on the top 4 next season. Top 6. That was a goal that Hughes was well on the way to delivering. So why was he fired?
You know me! I'm the great Mancini!
Problem is, his face didn’t fit.
While being a good young manager, Hughes does not have the draw with international football that a name like Mancini does. The Italian will be able to attract the players needed to compete in the Champions League and has a reputation on the continent. Kaka and a number of other players have turned down the cash at City as they asked their mates ”Who is Mark Hughes”?
The decision to can Hughes was made weeks ago as high profile names like Hiddink and others were courted to fill the role. Hughes was guilty of not being a big enough name.
So Mancini may be able to bring the type of European football needed to be successful in the Champions League. One problem; have to qualify first and Mancini’s experience of the EPL is non-existent! After the honeymoon period I expect Mancini to struggle in the EPL away from home just like Hughes has. His record away may actually be worse, if you believe the papers today then City are set to sign Maicon, a right back who specializes in spending most of his time in the opposing half.
If Man City’s Arab owners think that Mancini will deliver clean sheets, they have another thing coming. City will be just as open if not more than they were with Hughes; that’s what happens when you accommodate players like Robinho and Maicon, results like that against Sunderland will be commonplace and City’s away form will be no better; This season they have only lost two on the road but they have only won two away also, thanks to an expensive team that’s full of divas like Robinho who think 50 degrees is cold and a trip to Bolton beneath them.
So Mancini is in, big names to follow and LOTS MORE GOALS. I’m not complaining though; the football fan is the real winner here as the Manchester City saga rolls on in the same chassis but with a bigger engine.
I don’t know why you’d believe the papers. Inter aren’t selling Maicon, and I have no idea why they would. He’s probably the best RB in the world.
@MCR Because he knows Mancini and they are not in the financial state to be able to turn it down. Then add the players interest to double his wages. I’d say this one has real legs.
Trivia Question: How many English Managers have won the Premier League?
Answer: Zero. Since the Premier League began in 1992, it has been won by SAF (Scottish); Arsene (French); Mourinho (Portuguese); and Dalglish (Scottish).
Of course, this would actually mean something if Hughes was English; of course he’s a Welsh t**t. Nevertheless, the sheik’s behind Man City obviously felt that the only way they could win would be with a jock or a mainland European. Obviously.
They do have two fairly defensive minded center mids to help alleviate the defensive fragility. Barce seems to be able to keep a fairly solid defensive record as well, and they have a bunch of attacking players all over the field. The key is to let those cm’s act as pivots and attack more slowly.
Should be noted that Trashcan Sinatra brought in Hughes, not the Arabs. Arguably they could have let Hughes go upon takeover.
Ned: True, Moratti has money issues, but they’re not so dire that he’s conducting a fire sale. Maicon is probably the most important player (non-Wesley Sneijder division) in the squad, and he’s in his prime. With Inter still alive in Europe I’d expect him to stay there, at the very least through January. If Mourinho moves on in the summer, then maybe I could see Maicon leaving as well as Moratti looks to remake the team, but without that I don’t think he goes.
@MCR, not suggesting a fire sale, but lets see em turn down the crazy money!
@Eladio Italians are not French, Scottish or Portuguese either. :)