TheGame - Times Online - WBLG

Cook's PR disaster, understanding how football works and Mancini doesn't lie

Gabriele Marcotti

Funny how, when the weather gets cold, Garry gets cooking. Last winter it was the Kaka extravaganza when the Manchester City chief executive turned a transfer coup (even just getting to the point where Milan agreed a sale was a huge achievement and one for which he and his advisors should have received more credit than they did) into a public relations fiasco with his absurd accusations of "bottling it" and the low blow directed at Kaka's father, Bosco, whom Cook deemed not "sophisticated" enough to represent his son. (Never mind the fact that Bosco is a civil engineer, whereas Cook spent most of his adult life flogging shoes and sports apparel).

Manchester City's handling of the sacking of Mark Hughes was, simply put, terrible. The idea, peddled by Cook on Monday, that Hughes wasn't told he was being sacked until after the Sunderland game because the chairman, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak wanted to tell him in person and was so busy that he couldn't physically be in Manchester until 10am on Saturday, is not an acceptable explanation for such uncivil behaviour. For a start, there is little question that Hughes had heard the rumours by that point. I can only imagine what was going through his head as he showed up at the stadium to take charge of the game, too dignified and too professional to hunt down Cook or his sidekick, Brian Marwood and shake a straight answer out of them.

We'll never know, unless Al-Mubarak tells us, which is unlikely, since the man doesn't do too much public speaking. But to me it smacks of passing the buck. I'd love to ask him the following question: "Hey, if you heard rumours that your boss, Sheikh Mansour, had decided to sack you and put you out of work, would you rather get confirmation from one of the Sheikh's minions who are all around you or would you rather be left in limbo for twelve hours, with no choice but to go about your job in front of tens of thousands of people (and millions watching around the world), because hearing it straight from the Sheikh's mouth will mitigate the pain and the humiliation?"

My guess - but heck, I could be wrong - is that Al-Mubarak would choose the former. But, yes, if we want to follow the Cook line and blame Hughes's public humiliation entirely on Al-Mubarak let's go ahead and do so. The only thing I wonder is whether, at any point, it crossed Cook's mind to say: "Gee, Khaldoon, are you sure it's such a good idea? I appreciate the gesture of telling him face-to-face, but we're heading for a PR disaster here and maybe we really should think about sparing him some embarassment ..." Maybe Cook did suggest that and was overruled. Maybe he did not. We may never know.

Roberto Mancini shows Manchester City how it's done

Roberto Mancini might have been one of the most successful managers in Serie A in the modern era but as a player he was no slouch either, rewarding Sampdoria with 15 years of loyal service before finishing his playing career at Lazio and er... Leicester City.

Quick, nimble and with a stunning eye for goal, he was one of the most flamboyant footballers of his generation, as demonstrated by this compilation which includes a stunning volley from a ball dipping over his head and an outrageous backheel direct from a corner.

If he can get City playing like this there will be some very satisfied customers at Eastlands next year.

Ruthless Arab owners still rank among the best of a bad lot

Oliver Kay

In the space of 48 hours, Manchester City’s Arab owners have, apparently, gone from the best in the business to the worst. Of this morning’s headlines, take your pick from “Cowards”, “Men With No Class” and “Desert Rats”.

It is quite a turnaround, but it is the type of reaction you invite when you sack a dignified man such as Mark Hughes in such an unedifying manner. Truly, the handling of his departure – not only the decision to get rid of him but the way he was marooned on the touchline on Saturday afternoon with the club announcing that they would be making on a statement later that evening, with Roberto Mancini already booked into a Manchester hotel – was appalling.

Instinctively, I also have certain reservations about the appointment of Mancini. Is he, a man who has been out of work for 18 months and has never worked in England (save for a forgettable four-match spell on loan to Leicester City in 2001) the man to fulfil the ambitions and the grandiose visions laid out in Abu Dhabi?

While I do not doubt his ability or his pedigree, that lack of experience in England makes the appointment of Mancini, midway through a Premier League season, a gamble, rather than a guaranteed improvement on Hughes.

The Rivals: Arsenal and Everton battle for Bordeaux striker

Everton join Chamakh battle - The Sun
Everton will battle it out with Arsenal to sign Marouane Chamakh (pictured), the Bordeaux striker, for £7m in the summer. David Moyes sent scouts to watch the Moroccan marksman play against Lorient on Saturday, while Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs on the player for months.

Exit door opens for flop defenders - Daily Mirror
Roberto Mancini will sort out Manchester City's defence - and put huge question marks over the future of England stars Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott. Mancini has already given City chief executive Garry Cook names of targets, with Juventus left-back Giorgio Chiellini and Inter defender Maicon on the list.

Platt to join Mancini's coaching team - The Independent
David Platt, the former England midfielder, is to join his close friend at Eastlands. The pair played together at Sampdoria.

Curbs wanted - The Daily Express
Alan Curbishley could return as West Ham manager if David Sullivan's takeover of the Upton Park club goes through.

Trio battle for Anderlecht wonderkid - Daily Mail
Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan are all monitoring European football's latest teen sensation, 16-year-old Romelo Lukaku from Belgian outfit Anderlecht

Were Manchester City right to sack Mark Hughes?

Ben Smith

Inevitable, ruthless, surprising. However you describe Manchester City's decision to sack Mark Hughes and appoint Roberto Mancini as his replacement yesterday, it can only be seen as a clear sign that the club's Arab owners will stop at nothing to achieve success - and quickly.

The Welshman was sacked by a club who felt he could not meet their target of a place in the top four despite being given £200m to spend on players and further huge investment in training facilities and other infrastructure at the club.

But have City done the right thing? Should Hughes have been given more time to mould his players into a team capable of challenging the very best? Or are you happy to see the back of a manager who has struggled to address his team's defensive failings and failed to lift his players against the lesser sides this season?

Mancini, who is believed to have been at Eastlands yesterday, is understood to have a three-and-a-half-year contract. Brian Kidd, a former City striker with extensive coaching experience, has stepped up from a role with the club's youth team to assist the Italian, who has been out of work since leaving Inter in May 2008.

But are these the right men to take the club forward? Would you rather have seen someone with Premier League experience brought in?

It's over to you, vote then leave your comments below.

Online Surveys & Market Research

The Rivals: Barcelona step up fight for £40m Fabregas

Barca plot £40m Cesc raid - The Sun
Barcelona president Joan Laporta will 'fight' to land Cesc Fabregas next summer. The Champions League kings plan a £40million raid for the Arsenal and Spain midfielder - and Laporta is determined to capture the ex-Barca youth team star

Harry's £6m bid for Fig - Daily Mirror
Harry Redknapp could be tempted to make a £6million move for Wigan left-back Maynor Figueroa when the January transfer window opens. The Spurs manager has been told there is no money to spend having already shelled out £160million since taking charge, but will raise the funds by selling Gareth Bale.

Moyes ponders cut price Maxi - Daily Mirror
David Moyes is weighing up a cut-price deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentinian, 28, is out of contract next summer and Atletico are desperate to do a cut-price deal to stop him leaving for free at the end of the season.

Eid welcome a return - The Sun
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is looking to return to the Premier League. The Icelandic frontman, 31, wants a quick exit from French outfit Monaco after a fallout with manager Guy Lacombe.

De Laet to plug defensive gap for United - The Guardian
Sir Alex Ferguson looks set to turn to the Belgian youngster Ritchie de Laet for Saturday's visit to Fulham as Manchester United's defensive problems continue to mount up

The Rivals: Liverpool to announce fresh investment deal

Gillett and Hicks to gain £124m from share deal - Daily Telegraph
Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are closing in on a deal that will see them sell a significant share in the club to a new investor for around £124 million. 

Ferguson eyes Serbian starlet - Daily Mirror
Manchester United are targeting young Serbian central defender Uros Cosic - seen by his club CSKA Moscow as potentially a bigger talent than Nemanja Vidic. The 17-year-old may move to Old Trafford next year, despite CSKA’s desire to keep him, admitted club president Yevgeni Giner.

Bruce eyes Mayn man - The Sun
Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, is planning a January bid for Maynor Figueroa, Wigan's £4m-rated defender.

Wenger fearing Silv exit - Daily Mirror
Arsene Wenger fears he may lose Mikael Silvestre on a free transfer at the end of the season.

St Etienne eye Adams - The Sun
Tony Adams is poised to return to management with St Etienne. The former Portsmouth manager held talks with the French club yesterday.

The Rivals: Tottenham to offload Bentley after Redknapp 'row'

Bentley to get boot - Daily Express
David Bentley will leave Tottenham in January after a blazing row with manager Harry Redknapp.

I bitterly regret Notts County sale says trust chief - The Guardian
The former Notts County chairman who negotiated and recommended the handover of the club to Munto Finance in the summer yesterday said he feels he was "hoodwinked" into believing that Munto were backed by investors who would make huge money available.

Sell up Pompey, Pompey sell up - Daily Mirror
Crisis-club Portsmouth’s dire straits deepened last night as Avram Grant was told he will have to sell players next month to help keep the Fratton Park outfit alive.

You can't buy, Harry - Daily Mirror
Harry Redknapp has been told to deliver Champions League football on a budget after Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy ruled out any spending in the January transfer window.

Wigan on the Ball - Daily Mail
Michael Ball is on the brink of resurrecting his career with Wigan. The 30-year-old former Manchester City and Everton full back has impressed while training with the club.

The Rivals: Manchester United in shock move for Sol Campbell

Sol Trafford - Daily Mirror
Manchester United are ready to make a shock move for free agent Sol Campbell to boost their injury-hit defence. Former England centre-back Campbell, 35, has finally reached an exit agreement with League Two Notts County following his ill-fated move.

Moyes sets sights on Donovan loan - The Guardian
David Moyes hopes to strengthen his injury-plagued Everton squad in the January transfer window with a loan move for the USA forward, Landon Donovan.

Anton is swapped for Hutt - The Sun
Steve Bruce is ready to offload Anton Ferdinand in a bid to land Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton. The Sunderland manager is desperate for defensive cover and wants to bring Hutton to Wearside in a swap deal with unhappy Ferdinand next month.

Under the Hammer - Daily Mirror
West Ham have set a deadline of Friday for takeover offers as the club’s crisis-hit Icelandic owners battle to fend off creditors back home. Icelandic investment bank Straumur, which owns West Ham, has employed prestigious private firm Rothschild to handle takeover bids for the club.

Carsley set for exit in Birmingham shake-up - Daily Mail
Lee Carsley will be an unexpected casualty of Alex McLeish’s rebuilding campaign at Birmingham City when the transfer window opens.

Arsenal are a Roman target - Daily Express
Roman Pavlyuchenko, the Tottenham striker, is being targeted by north London rivals Arsenal, according to the Russian's agent Oleg Artemov.

Nigel De Jong pivotal to Manchester City's future

James Ducker

There were a few laughs when it was put to Mark Hughes after Manchester City’s 2-1 win at home to Chelsea that it was better the club had missed out on Kaka in January rather than Nigel de Jong, but it was a valid point.

Kaka would undoubtedly improve City no end but he was the wrong player at the wrong time. City’s attempts to sign the Brazil forward were equivalent to a chef trying to put a cherry on top of a cake he had still to bake.

A year or two down the line, a player in the Kaka mould may well be the right signing for City, but the building blocks needed to be put in place first and De Jong was just the kind of player the club needed at that stage of their development. Chelsea’s midfield players will not dispute that.

It takes a lot to quieten a midfield as imposing and inventive as Chelsea’s, but Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard were clearly uncomfortable having the combative Holland midfield player snapping at their heels. It was the kind of performance Claude Makelele used to produce on a regular basis for Chelsea and Real Madrid.