Hughes tells Wenger not to worry about City
Wenger used the Arsenal club magazine to express his concern at the increasing number of Premier League rivals being taken over by overseas businessmen about whom little is known, with no track record in football.
City’s designate chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has outlined his plans to build a dynasty at Eastlands over the next 10 years — with Mark Hughes key to his vision of a golden era of sustained success.
The takeover of the club by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and his Abu Dhabi United Group was yesterday.
He insists they are going to build from the ground up.
“We are genuine people and we want to develop this club in a sustainable manner,” he told mcfc.co.uk.
“Nothing rash is going to happen, we are not going to do crazy stuff.
“We will work with (executive chairman) Garry Cook and Mark. They call the shots and we are here to support to help build a sustainable club.
The Abu Dhabi-based consortium now in control of City have at least started to make the right noises following grandiose statements at the start of their buy-out and new chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has made a positive impact, not least by showing an active interest in the club’s impressive academy.
But while Hughes has no fears for the future, he does believe the City name is now attracting attention which would previously not have existed.
“Before the name of Manchester City was not raised in the company of the top four managers,” observed Hughes. “But it is happening now.
“Maybe some of the responses are not considered as the people making them are not in full possession of the facts.
“It is nice he has such a concern for what is happening at our club.
“I would not say I have the same concern for what is happening at his.”
Nevertheless, with Arsenal staving off the attentions of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, Hughes respects Wenger’s right to an opinion — he just does not feel there is any need for concern at City, whose new owner he met for the first time last Friday.
“Arsene made general points about owners, not just Manchester City’s,” said Hughes.
“Nobody is quite sure where the future of some clubs lie but I am very clear and comfortable with the situation here.
“You can only judge people on what they tell you. When you look them in the eye you have to trust they mean what they say. I have no reason to believe that will not be the case.”
Hughes has received reassurances about his own position.
The Welshman is not under threat, either from a replacement or a dreaded director of football, the concept of which has caused such disharmony at Newcastle and West Ham.
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