City warned over free-spending policy as Bernstein bows out

MANCHESTER CITY legend Peter Barnes has warned the Maine Road outfit not to follow Leeds’ free-spending ways after the shock departure of chairman David Bernstein.

Bernstein elected to jump ship ahead of yesterday’s emergency board meeting rather than face a vote of no-confidence after a vicious behind-the-scenes battle which erupted into open warfare late last week when managing director Chris Bird declared his intention to quit.

Bird and Bernstein had been at loggerheads since the autumn when the chairman redefined management structures within the club, handing some of Bird’s responsibilities to fellow director Alistair Mackintosh.

Major shareholder and deputy chairman John Wardle attempted to heal the rift over the weekend but his belief that Bird, who has transformed the club’s image, should be brought back into the fold, irritated Bernstein even further, culminating in yesterday’s development.

Given that Bird is a director of Wardle’s JD Sports organisation, Bernstein was never likely to win a power struggle, particularly as last Friday manager Kevin Keegan went public with his opinion that losing Bird would be “a backward step” for the club.

This is not a view shared by a majority of City fans, who have been happy with the progress of a side who have consolidated their position following last year’s promotion to the Premiership.

Wardle and Bird though were not keen on Bernstein’s conservative approach to the transfer market. Even though he has now received over £50million in transfer funds during his 18 months in charge, Keegan blamed Bernstein for the collapse of the original Robbie Fowler transfer from Leeds.

Yesterday’s development is likely to see the City purse strings opened still further to allow Keegan the funds to pursue his long-held dream of a top-six berth.

However, as they prepare for a summer move to their new City of Manchester Stadium home, Barnes is concerned the club may be attempting to move forward too quickly. “Manchester City has to be careful it doesn’t go down the same route as Leeds,” said the ex-winger, who played for both clubs during an illustrious career.

“We will never really know what has happened in the boardroom but people have to remember we have only just got back into the Premier League and the club should keep moving forward step by step.”

Intriguingly, while Bernstein’s resignation was accepted with immediate effect, Bird will not leave until a suitable date has been agreed.

It leaves open the prospect that he could remain at the club once the fall-out from Bernstein’s departure is allowed to settle.

In the meantime, Wardle will take over as acting chairman, although former City striker and current director of football Dennis Tueart is favourite to take the job on a permanent basis.