City: We did not lie

December 23, 2009

MANCHESTER City have insisted they did not lie to fans over when they approached Mancini to become their new manager.

Mancini revealed on Monday he had met City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak two weeks ago but club chief executive Garry Cook said negotiations with the Italian only began on Thursday last week - two days before Mark Hughes was sacked.

Cook did state the decision to consider replacing Hughes was taken three weeks ago but fans have contacted City to complain about the club’s conduct.

As a result, City have issued a statement saying Cook “absolutely” did not lie to fans.

The statement said: “Garry Cook and new manager Roberto Mancini together took to the stage to give journalists and, more importantly, our fans the complete picture of the events of the past few days and weeks.

“The outcome was characterised in way which has suggested that the football club and Garry Cook has lied to its fans. Manchester City would like to point out that this is absolutely not the case.”

The statement points out Cook stated during Monday’s press conference that “the decision to look at managerial options was taken only three weeks ago after the Hull game, but I think it is important for people to know that Roberto was only offered the job after the Spurs game; we negotiated on Thursday and finalised his agreement on Friday”.

Mancini, when questioned on when he was first contacted by the club, replied: “Two weeks ago, I met Khaldoon for the first time. But they called me the day after the Tottenham game. Not before.”

The statement adds: “In light of the fact that both Garry Cook’s and Roberto Mancini’s responses are consistent, it is with some surprise that we and our fans read some of today’s reporting.”

Meanwhile, City have banned newspapers at their training ground after being stunned by the negative publicity surrounding.

The club believe the players may be unsettled by the banner headlines and have decided not to allow newspapers into the venue.

It is understood that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed support for Hughes in a telephone call to the former Reds striker following his dismissal.

What do you think? Have your say.

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Bert is my hero, Cheshire! (23/12/2009 at 09:38)

I'm sure Mark is angry, upset and more than a little hurt and not unreasonably so, but we must remember that manager's routinely drop players, transfer them and negotiate to buy players to replace them while still expecting them to do their very best for the club. A cliche perhaps, but that is the way of the world, not just football. It isn't City's proudest moment by any means, but I don't see what they've done which is so uniquely dishonourable.

dr.spock, sweden (23/12/2009 at 09:42)

Can pigs fly??

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (23/12/2009 at 09:45)

--------------- CHRISTMAS PRESENT LIST ----------

We all know that it`s the ususl daggers out for City by the media, so who cares, let`s just get on with supporting our new manager.

So, to get away from all that, I`ve drawn up my Christmas list for some of the regular posters of the site, to wish them a merry Christmas.

Calum Down - An alarm clock

Eric Dutch - An orange

Karen Tyler - A lifesize model of Roque

Bob the Baker - Some ADUG dough

Jerseyblue, Jersey - A jersey

Bristolsteve from Oldham - A picture of Oldham to show how lucky you are to have left

Luvpump Mars - A Martian luv tunnel

Nick the voice of reason - A pint in the Old House at Home

Gerry Gows jockstrap - Some Febreeze

Bubba, Cleethorpes - Some pips

And to all City fans across the world, especially our Aussie and Stateside posters, a happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

2010 starts the new dawn for the blues! CTID

Matt Miller (23/12/2009 at 09:47)

I fail to see what all the fuss is about. They spoke to him three weeks ago after the Hull game and offered him the job after the Spurs game. Both Mancini and Cook were entirely consistent in their accounts but, frankly , who cares? The board decided that Hughes was not the man to take us forward in the long term. I can see arguments both ways but can understand that thinking. Once again, those criticising the board for its treatment of Hughes should be careful what they wish for. There was a cosy little spot in the championship waiting for us before they took over...

barca99, Salford (23/12/2009 at 09:47)

Lets be honest the Bertie hierachy were hardly going to come out and say anything else where they? Foreign owners (the Glazers, Abramovich, Gillete & Hicks) are in it for financial gain and financial gain only, some supporters actually protest about foreign ownership (United & Liverpool i.e clubs with history) and some are happy to whore themselves to sugar daddies (Chelsea & Siddy, who's supporters would take anybody to try and raise themselves up the echelons of football's elite), the overwhelming core of Siddy fans continue to support this Arab regime who have not got one ounce of dignity, humility, respect or compassion to the club itself and its supporters. Letting you in for a quid doesnt mean they like you.

TICK TOCK............................PLAY TO THE CLOCK

james cromley, stockport (23/12/2009 at 09:48)

The process of finding a new manager before telling the old one he has to go is not new to football or business in general. The only thing City are guilty of is being caught. Tapping up avoids the need to appoint an inexperienced temporary manager exposing the club to further 'poor' results and alienating the fans even more.

What is strange is the decision to replace Hughes in the first place. City are a threat to any team now. The first time this has happeneed since the days of Kinkladze and co.

Cook and his cronies have effectively removed City from any trophy challenge for at least another 18 months.

Phil Neal's Laxative, Somewhere in Baden (23/12/2009 at 09:48)

OK, this was badly handled. Thank you very much. Now let's move on please.

Aussie blue (23/12/2009 at 09:49)

As blues fan living in Aussie and having Foxtel and the internet as the only source of watching or knowing about City , it is strange how quiet the official website is on our time line ( first thing in the morning our time ) secondly As a life long suffering supporter I support City who ever is in charge and the rest of you so called Blues should also get behind the essence which is MCFC. We are long over due for success.

Aussie Blue.

Ewesy, Workington (23/12/2009 at 09:49)

Of course we were wrong to sack him - but lets get over it!

Much prefer to be getting information with regards to the Team and formation for the Stoke game. If expect focus fromthe players then the board and coaching staff need to lead by example

We need to move on and leave this soap opera behind

Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (23/12/2009 at 09:49)

As Sir Walter Scot once said "Oh what a wicked web we weave when first we practice to deceive"

Free Ian Brown, Denton (23/12/2009 at 09:50)

For what its worth, I would suggest the following:

1) The decision to get rid of Hughes was correct.
2) It has been handled badly, especially with the press.

I would rather the club get the decisions correct and fudge it with the media, than be all pally with the media and fudge the major decisions (see Harry Redknapp / the Spuds).

"from behind a cushion" in western australia, perth, western ozz (23/12/2009 at 09:51)

is anybody really bothered anymore, change the record m.e.n. (and to roberto...........change the defence)

True Blue,Galway.Ireland, Galway (23/12/2009 at 09:52)

Even if City did not lie re Mancini becoming City manager,what do the tabloids and media care.They only want to print sensational headlines and even if they are lies they will not apologise to anyone.

"paul dickov saved my life", manc`land (23/12/2009 at 09:54)

MOVE ON.. MOVE ON...... THE MANCINI REVOLUTION MARCHES ON, IF THE LIKES OF BELLAMY AND GIVEN CANT HANDLE THAT THEN GET SHOT, BRING PLAYERS WHO WANT TO PLAY FOR OUR CLUB, I DESPAIR SOME TIMES WE GOT THE DREAM WE WANTED, AND STILL SOME OFF YOU LOT AINT HAPPY...
HUGHES WONT BE LAST TO BE FIRED IN SUCH A WAY, OUR OWNERS DONT FART ABOUT FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS, THEY DO THE EXECUTION THEN ........MOVE ON

TOODLE PIP.

Simon Weigh (23/12/2009 at 09:55)

Whilst Garry Cook’s statement may not have been a lie it was a clear attempt to mislead the press and the fans and what’s most embarrassing about this is that it wasn’t some resourceful investigative reporter who unearthed the truth, but Roberto Mancini himself who just five minutes later exposed Cook’s facade. Mancini explained to the press that he met the chairman and the owner several weeks before Hughes was sacked. So let’s get this straight – Sheikh Mansour has never been to a match in the 18 months that he has owned the club, but Garry Cook expects us to believe that he flew to London to meet Mancini (or flew Mancini to the far east) for a general chat about football? Don’t take us for fools Mr Cook.

The truth of the matter is clear. Roberto Mancini was offered the City job sometime after the Hull draw – probably after Guus Hiddink had first turned it down. Whether that offer was a formal contract offer or a verbal commitment is neither here nor there – Cook and the City hierarchy had made up their mind to sack Hughes in early December and their behaviour (in particular that of Garry Cook) since that time has been nothing short of disgraceful and has dragged the good name of our club through the mud.
The sad fact is that five years ago we had a team that wasn’t good enough to finish in the top half of the table, no money and no hope, but we had a chairman – John Wardle – who, whilst a successful businessman in his own right, loved the club and conducted himself with dignity at all times. Prior to Wardle we’d also seen the club led through its darkest hours by David Bernstein, another man who understood football and whose innate dignity was a credit to the club. Were either man at the helm of our club now, supported by the owners riches, I’m quite sure that we’d not only be on our way to great things, but would be able to do so with our heads held high. Instead the club that I have supported for 30 years is now led by a shoe salesman who has dragged the clubs good name through the mud. As a City fan I will continue to support the team and sincerely hope that Roberto Mancini brings success to the club (he conducted himself with great dignity on Monday), but I also hope that Garry Cook’s days at the club are numbered. I feel shame and immense disappointment today.

The eagle has landed, Moston, Manchester (23/12/2009 at 09:57)

Cook is innocent...................yeah right

John Wythenshawe Exile, Indonesia (23/12/2009 at 09:58)

Two Prem managers have so far been sacked this season, probably another 5 or 6 will be sacked before the end of the season. Will there be as much fuss and horror shown as with Hughes, I doubt it very much...hypocrisy seems to have no limits.

black and blue, manchester, where else? (23/12/2009 at 09:59)

city should now only offer the minimum information to the newspapers and ban the players from talking to any media (papers, tv, internet etc) until all this has died down. let hughes carry on sniping via old friends.

city did the right thing in sacking hughes. they also did the right thing in having a new manager lined up.

the cooky monster has looked bad throughout this and needs to wise up and maybe go on a media handling course

craig williams (23/12/2009 at 10:00)

i am a big united fan and united are in my heart, but gary cook has totally got it wrong giving a bad impression for a football club who know nothing about. moving from nike to city is totally different and he seems to have no idea of a football club.

HAYMAN BACK IN BOLTON, WESTHOUGHTON (23/12/2009 at 10:00)

Cook continues to dig holes for himself.He is coming over as uncertain,unconfident,unprofessional and so nervous in the face of the media and the fans.Like Hughes I believe he was not the choice of our owners and although it was anticipated that the owner would wait until Mancini is confidently settled in his job the way Cook is performimg may yet hasten his departure and a new CEO installed.

Nellie wheres yurandbag, Gods own country (23/12/2009 at 10:04)

Wether there were lies or not, the main thing is its not the city fans who are questioning it, its the gutter press who are trying to build a story to once again have a go at the club, so i for one am really glad that they have at last shown some b**** and banned them from carrington, it should have been done last year when all the negativity was flying around while the transfers were happening, well done city!

As for bacon face showing support for hughes, well once a rag always a rag, thats all i can say, he will be welcomed back into the fold now and be happy, perhaps the 'agent hughes' scenario had more to it than meets the eye lol!!

Keeping the faith

Shammers, marton moss (23/12/2009 at 10:05)

City should not just ban the reading of newspapers at carrington, they should ban the journalists who write this anti city rubbish.Get tough Khaldoon & Cook, bacon face does it & so should we.

blue t, Radcliffe (23/12/2009 at 10:09)

Look at it this way. If they had sacked hughes before approaching mancini we could potentially have ended up managerless for the crucial january window. THAT would have been typical city.
As it is the owners have done the very best thing for the club and fans by approaching mancini before sacking hughes. And the usual thing in football. How long are we going to persist with this pontificating about some non-exisiting moral code of decency in football? It doesn't exist. HUGHES WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CITY SQUAD WEEKS BEFORE SVEN GOT THE PUSH.
Time to move on.

jepetto, Ashton under Lyne (23/12/2009 at 10:10)

Move on Mancini is now our manager. City sacked Hughes and appointed Mancini, their decision nothing anyone could have done to change that. As I have said before you will see this by results that this was the right decision and then all this nonsense will seem blue light years away.

albatross, bury (23/12/2009 at 10:11)

Gary Cook's handling of this whole affair has been undoubtedly inept...but that is not the real story here. Mark Hughes definately made mistakes, as has been endlessly discussed on this forum...but that is not the real story here. The real story is how all this will play back in Abu Dharbi. It has been openly stated that high profile sporting aquisitions such as City and F1 races have been made to show Abu Dharbi in a positive light to prepare the economy for when the oil runs out. The negative publicity following this debacle is a step backwards in this effort (and the papers know it - see this mornings Telegraph for the first transparent story on this subject). Khaldoon et al were mistaken in my view placing such emphasis on continuity in such a volatile field (especially as City happen to lose managers more often than I lose my TV remote). This episode shows me that our owners are only human after all and I'm sure they will learn from the past few days. Mainly, I hope that City fans will remember what the real story is when they inevitably get the urge to call for the manager's head in a few weeks and put our fantastic owners under pressure to negotiate this minefield once again.

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