Hughes key to new City owners´ 10-year-plan

Mark Hughes, the manager of Manchester City, has been told by the Premier Legaue club's new owners he has a central role in their plans for a decade of success at Eastlands.

The takeover of City by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and his Abu Dhabi United Group (ABDUG) from former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is due to be completed later Tuesday.

However, City's new owners have already sent financial shockwaves through the rest of the Premier League by authorising the 32.5 million pounds (60.1 million dollars) British record signing of Robinho from Real Madrid.

Some, including Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, have questioned the new owners' commitment, warning they could back out from a club to which they have no longstanding attachment if the credit-crunch and its associated problems continue to damage the world economy.

But City's chairman-designate Khaldoon al Mubarak, who saw Robinho score in City's 6-0 league thrashing of Portsmouth last weekend, insisted ADUG were in for the long haul and would not do “crazy stuff”.

“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.”

“We are here as long-term investors, and it makes sense for us to build a dynasty. Between Mark and Garry, I think we have a dynasty in the making.”

And he insisted that ADUG's wealth would not stop home-grown players from City's academy making it into the first-team.

“With our backing, with the commitment we are going to make to the academy in the next 10 years there is going to be a tremendous period for Manchester City and for us. And I think we are going to have a blast doing it!”

Al Mubarak was adamant Hughes would have the final say on transfers, following reports the former Manchester United striker and Wales manager had had little say in the deadline-day capture of Robinho from under the noses of Premier League rivals Chelsea.

“One thing I have made very clear to Mark is that any player he wants comes from him.

“I am not an expert. It is Mark who runs the club and Mark who makes the football decisions.

“Mark is an honest man, he's a leader, he's tough and he is everything you would want in a head coach. We trust him, he's one of the gems we saw in this club once we came here.

“He will put a plan together to win trophies, but we will be patient. As long as it is being managed properly and the players are doing what they need to do, then it will take whatever it takes.”

Not since the 1976 League Cup have City won a major trophy, while it is 40 years since they were last crowned champions of England.