Hughes clears decks

NEW manager Mark Hughes has cleared the decks at Manchester City by releasing a total of 11 players.

After the departure of goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven earlier in the week, Hughes has told a further 10 players they are not being retained.

They include senior players Paul Dickov, Geovanni, Emile Mpenza and Jihai Sun, who ended a six-year City stint yesterday by joining Sheffield United.

Dickov, who had a successful loan spell at Blackpool last season, is a target for the Seasiders, Brazilian Geovanni is being linked with a move to Premier League new boys Hull City while Emile Mpenza has attracted interest from Premier League and Championship clubs.

The other players released are Faroe Island under-21 international Christian Monritsen, Filippo Mancini, son of former Inter Milan coach Roberto, Garry Breen, Michael Daley, Ashley Grimes, and Italian keeper Andrea Giombetti.

Athletic will be confronting two of the released players next season as Breen has signed a one-year deal with League One new boys Hereford United.

Grimes has joined Millwall, who are managed by former City reserve-team coach Kenny Jackett.




UNITED’S Carlos Queiroz continues to be linked with becoming Portugal’s next manager.



It is understood Sir Alex Ferguson’s No 2 has been offered a £1.5million a year deal through to the 2010 World Cup and he must give the Portuguese FA a decision over the weekend.