But at a news conference on Monday, City’s Chief Executive, Garry Cook, said the decision to replace Hughes was first discussed after the 1-1 draw with Hull on November 28 while the decision to appoint Mancini was not finalised until after the 0-3 loss to Tottenham on the 16th of this month.
Mancini later admitted that he had met with City’s Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, a fortnight ago to discuss football “in general.” The news conference led to negative headlines in the newspapers, which prompted Manchester City to clarify its position.
“In light of the fact that both Garry Cook’s and Roberto Mancini’s responses are consistent, it is with some surprise that we and our fans read some of (Tuesday’s) reporting,” the club statement said. “Garry Cook and new manager Roberto Mancini together took to the stage to give journalists and, more importantly, our fans the complete picture of the events of the past few days and weeks.
“The outcome was characterised in way which has suggested that the football club and Garry Cook have lied to fans. Manchester City would like to point out that this is absolutely not the case.
“The decision to look at managerial options was taken only three weeks ago after the Hull game, but I think it is important for people to know that Roberto was only offered the job after the Spurs game; we negotiated on Thursday and finalised his agreement on Friday.”
And Manchester City’s former chairman, David Bernstein, who was at the helm between 1998 and 2003, says the club’s image has been dented a little by what has happened this week. Bernstein told BBC Radio 5 Live that, “the first thing fans want is a winning and successful side but they also want one that behaves professionally and with dignity and for their club to be well perceived.
“People say that it is typical City but I hate to hear that because as a fan you want Manchester City treated with respect. What has happened over the last few days has not helped.”
Meanwhile, two Premier League managers have raised concerns that Hughes’s sack represents an unhealthy trend in English football. Mancini has become the seventh non-British manager in the Premier League, the fourth at a club currently in the league’s top eight sides.
