Eastlands chief impressed by City slicker Hughes
With record signing Jo setting off with the rest of the squad yesterday to a training camp in Germany, City are now trying to lure Ronaldinho to Eastlands.
Hughes suddenly finds himself working in a different financial environment after being used to a tighter budget at Blackburn.
However he showed his skill in a competitive market place by not only attracting players like David Bentley, Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy to Ewood Park but giving them a platform to utilise their skills.
That quality attracted City and Cook is convinced Hughes is just as comfortable dealing with big money. Cook said: “We do not have an open cheque book — it is important to be responsible.
“Mark has a great track record in that department and will decide the talent he requires. He says the squad is a bit unbalanced.
“He and I have already had conversations and Mark has said ‘I’m not sure. That is a little bit expensive’.
“So you know when a manager says that he has a conscience. Mark is very astute and destined to become an even greater coach.”
Hughes is determined to make the best use of owner Thaksin Shinawatra’s money. He said: “One of the reasons that prompted to leave my last position was I wanted to have the chance to attract the best players in the world and work with them.
“I now have that support and financial backing. It is up to me to make sure we make the right acquisitions.
“The key is to get the players that will enhance the squad and make us stronger going into a long hard season.
“If we get the right players and right mix then we will have a good season, I am sure.”
City supporters are desperate for success and Cook added: “We have built a trophy cabinet and are ready to fill it. It is not a case of if but when.
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