Future bright, insists Hughes

Mark Hughes expects success to arrive at Manchester City, no matter who new boss Roberto Mancini decides to buy.

Mancini was due to be unveiled by the Eastlands outfit later today, less than 48 hours after Hughes’ dismissal following the 4–3 win over Sunderland.

The fact Mancini was announced as the Welshman’s successor at the same time appears to confirm that the move had been planned for weeks.

With a top–four spot now the stated aim, attention is already turning to the men Mancini might go for in January if owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon al–Mubarak are to have their wishes granted.

Liverpool duo Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres are said to be on 45–year–old Mancini’s wish list, although defenders would seem to be a more useful priority given City have conceded nine goals in their last three games.

But whatever changes Mancini makes, Hughes is certain the Blues have a bright future. He is just sad not to be sharing it.

“I have always been aware of the responsibility that comes with being afforded the luxury of a significant transfer budget and I was grateful that the club supported me with significant investment in players,” Hughes said in a statement released to the League Managers’ Association website.

“I very much regret, however, that I will not now be able to enjoy the success that would undoubtedly have followed in the light of that investment.”

Mancini has been out of work since quitting Inter Milan in 2008, having won three successive Serie A titles without making the desired impact in Europe.

It has been claimed he was first sounded out about the job last summer before the Blues hierarchy decided to keep faith with Hughes.

Andy Hinchcliffe fears future City managers have been given an impossible job following the dismissal of Hughes.

Given Hughes has lost his job after 18 months because his side failed to meet agreed targets and were looking unlikely to do so, Hinchcliffe feels the task for Mancini, and the men who will eventually follow him, is an onerous one.

“Mancini, and any other manager City get, is going to be under a very intense spotlight,” said Hinchcliffe, a former England and City player who has built a reputation as a local radio pundit.

“You can twist statistics any way you want but the facts are Manchester City have lost two games all season.

“They are sixth in the league and in the semi–finals of the Carling Cup, the first time the club has reached that stage of a tournament since 1981.

“So if Mancini finds himself in a similar situation next year, presumably he is out of the door as well.”