Owner Thaksin Shinawatra is understood to have offered Garry Cook the role of executive chairman with the aim of turning City into a superpower.
American-based Cook, a Birmingham City fan, will have the responsibility of overseeing City's budget and expanding their global appeal, especially in America and Asia.
Cook, 45, who has worked in the sports industry for more than 20 years, is president of Nike's Brand Jordan.
He worked closely with basketball legend Michael Jordan and helped Nike become the world's No 1 seller of sports shoes.
Powerful
Cook is believed to have agreed a three-year contract at the City of Manchester Stadium.
But it is not clear yet whether chief executive Alistair Macintosh will report directly to Cook under a new management structure.
One Nike source said last night: "For Garry to leave such a key position here, Manchester City must be an attractive project. We tried to keep him, but this is not about money. Clearly, they must have a great deal of ambition. This guy is a serious operator, a class act."
Luring Cook from Nike represents a major coup for City and ends their worldwide search for a powerful figure to push the club to the next level.
City hope his appointment will help them in their pursuit of high-profile players, including one 'box office' signing this summer.
What do you think? Have your say.
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Oh so what?
Why would he want to work for the thaskin?? He will probaly get fired in a year anyway!! SAVE SVEN
Come on Mr chairman. The pieces are being put into place. Keep your original faith in Sven and hold your nerve. Your investment will flourish. This is a great signing by all accounts for City. This guy is seriously well respected and known throughout half the planet includind USA and Asia. Finally something positive to read. Most welcome
Finding it difficult to get excited at the moment Thaksin mate.
You know what lads? I suspect that Mr T has a masterplan. Hope I'm right. I don't want Sven to go just like most people here, but, thinks may turn out good. I'm keeping the faith. In who or what I'm not sure, but I'm keeping the faith
I dont care.
Well coming from Nike, at least he might make a better go at getting the shirt sizes right for the new kit after last years fiasco! We could have brand ireland wigs, im placing my order now.
Frankie has big plans for City when you have all finished whining and clear your minds you will see blue skies and the giant will rise. Oh you of little faith. Bring it on Frankie I believe.
good business decision, shame about the footballing ones being taken at the mo.......
ironicly isnt ericksons rep in football as good as this guys is in marketing - will this guy sacked if we are not ahead of real madrid in terms of world popularity after 9 months?????
this may be a step forward from the clubs business angle but sacking sven will take us 2 steps back on the pitch
is there any chance its not gonna happen,agree with adders junior, we need to keep the faith that maybe its not gonna be a bleak next season - the best thing for that would be keeping sven for a start
I know it does seem like suicide to get rid of a manager (especially someone like Sven) after just 1 season. I know given time Sven would get us the silverware. As a lifelong blue I have come to accept turmoil and upheaval. I was in the kippax throughout the Swales out-Lee in campaign. I remember Franny's first home game as chairman, the blue and white baloons rising into the air. I honestly thought the messiah had arrived. As we all know it wasn't to be. This latest chapter in the saga reminds me of those days. The only difference is that TS has a few quid and he wants us to be up there with the heavyweights. I know we as supporters were proud to not be conforming to the way football has gone (money), but sadly as the saying goes 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. TS wants us to be a household name like the scum and the ruskies. I think that by the summer we will be seeing some big names walk through the blue and white gates. And if I am wrong then it will be 'Typical City'.
Manchester city should be announcing information regarding sven, and the current situation instead of this contrived P.R exercise. Maybe in future instead of starting an article with manchester city announce, we should re-phrase it to Thaksin Shinawatra and his advisors announce? First Sven, next the board, then what dictatorship? This is a situation that everyone connected to the football should be concerned about how many foreign billonaires does it tke to realise that everyone cannot finish in the top four? Manchester city fans desrve better treatment, Disgraceful SAVE SVEN
i agree the whole think has been handled very badly. but maybe they are keeping silent for reasons that will become apparent shortly?
Along with Micahel Jordan, who is one of Nike's biggest marketing tools?..... RONALDINHO!!...... hmmmmmm..............
Come on Doc, Thai (hehehe) up the loose ends first would you. Sven has given city some class, give him as much faith we have shown you and things will be alright.
All I can say is that no marketing man will get me to open my wallet for City if Sven gets sacked. The club is in serious danger of turning into an absolute disgrace. I certainly dont like the way the owner operates.
im upset as the rest of you on svens departure he should get another year at least to see what he can do but!!!if frank doesnt have the faith in sven then so be it....franky obviuosly still wants the club to go forward its is cash to burn he asnt made is fortune through bad decisions "in frank i trust"
I know I am going to get ripped a new one for saying this, but 40,000 of us are acting like the company we work for has fired our favorite manager, hired new oneand we don't like it. Well TOUGH ! this is a business and just as we can walk away from our jobs, we can walk away from contributing to and supporting city. The majority of us will not ! we will say our piece and then get back to business come next September. We have an owner who is fearless, a little egotistical and excepts nothing if it doesn't reach his standards. And yes, he can move the goal posts - He owns them ! He owes us nothing (City Fans) and knows that if he delivers quality football under pinning a quality business operation, then Eastland will need a full 3rd tier ! and Sven will be a distant memory.
Thoughts that strike me after the no sense decisions by TS.
Do City want to be the Best known football team in the world? or
Do City want to be the best
Football team in the world?
What makes a Super team, a good P.R.man or good Manager?
Is T.S. going to train the team or is he building up the name of the team for a huge sale and huge profit?
I will still be interested in City but not so much in the results.
britbolyn, florida. you sound like daffy duck !
Your SEVENTEENTH manager in 21 years is rumored to be off. Not far short of a manager a season for 21 years! I have to admire you guys for your (really) unbelievable loyalty. In the face of what you've had to endure these last two decades, you you are either committed above and beyond, or you seriously need to be committed. Probably both....
...am I bovvered ???
I note that the people who seem to support this knee jerk, ill thought out decision by Thaksin are foreign based. Believe me, feelings here in Manchester are running very high...No matter who comes in, this decision will leave an irrecoverable taste in the mouth and Frank has lost many many supporters.
said from the very beginning that we need to see what the Dr's next move is before slagging him off.
I for one think he has spent a year assessing the club from top to bottom and decided he does not like what he sees.
The clearout is beginning starting with Sven, expect Wardle to follow and maybe Ali Mac.
The Dr is a very successful businessman and if he does not like what he sees he has EVERY right to make the changes - if no-one had noticed he does actually own the club....
All this nonsense talk about player revolts and "letters" is irrelevant as people like Micah, Johnson, Elano, Dunne, Petrov, Corluka etc may well have been looking to jump ship whether Sven was still here or not!!!!
I for one will cut Frank some slack and see what happens before i pass judgement.
CTID and then some.
that little announcement will appease the angry mob won't it! if he's any sense he won't touch our club with a barge pole
All aboard the magical mystery bus to Eastlands....'box office' signings (galacticos)and sacking of successful managers (Del Bosque), we're starting to sound like Real Madrid!!