It’s being reported by several news sources that Mark Hughes is in severe danger of losing his job as manager of Manchester City.
A disappointing 3-0 defeat at Tottenham in midweek was enough for many to concede that Hughes won’t last much longer under the ambitious and super rich owners of City. With a run of consecutive draws and wins sparse, Hughes has come under pressure, although a Carling Cup semi-final berth against bitter rivals United could provide some leeway for the Welshman.
After an excellent start to the season and Emmanuel Adebayor in top form, City were flying and Mark Hughes was being deemed to be a top manager. However, inconsistent performances especially away from home and lack of form from some key players have led to City lying in eighth place.
Some of Hughes’ summer signings have been disappointing, Roque Santa Cruz has not started many games but hardly looks like the player who scored goals aplenty at Blackburn and defenders Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott have not shored up City’s defence in a way Hughes would want.
There have been some star performers throughout the season, dependable players like Shay Given and Gareth Barry have been joined by a revitalised Craig Bellamy, while Adebayor and Carlos Tevez have both been more than useful. Perhaps the biggest let down of them all is Robinho who although injured for much of the season looks disinterested much of the time and does not look like reproducing some of the sparkling form he showed at times last year.
For Hughes there is constant pressure to deliver results and news of contact being made with Guus Hiddink this week can hardly fill him with confidence. Surely moulding a team of superstars takes time to produce the wins that are necessary to push City into the top four. A winnable home game against Sunderland may prove key for the future of Hughes but at this moment in time it would seem unlikely he will be at Eastlands long term.
Richard Howard
