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Hughes reassures City fans he still runs football side

06/09/2008

Manager Mark Hughes has reassured Manchester City fans that he is still in control of the football side of the club following the takeover by a Dubai-based consortium.

The billionaire investors helped City buy Brazilian Robinho on transfer deadline day but Hughes insists no players will be bought against his will.

The Welshman admits that the sums of money now available to him to spend in the transfer market have altered his outlook slightly but claims he will have the final say on any comings and goings.

Hughes says if they must not be forced to pay too much for players as well just because the selling clubs are aware of the potential capital available to City.

He said: "What's important is that we will try to get value, if we can, if the right player is attainable. We'll still look for good, young players who will gain value because that is what I always think is the right thing to do.

"We'll make sure that we get the right players for the right positions, that's building a football team and a club. We will go for players that I think will enhance our expectations for success."

City were linked with big bids for Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy and Klass-Jan Huntelaar of Ajax on Monday, as well as former Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov, but could not land one of those strikers.

Hughes says although the level of player they are cashing has changed he still has not changed his idea of what he wants from players in terms of their commitment to the club.

"My role does not really change, maybe the sums of money and the means to get a different level of player changes. But the same mindset is here, and that's bringing players that will help build a team," Hughes added.

The former Wales boss says he is looking forward to the end of the international break so he can work more with his new squad.