You are in > manchester.com  > News > Hughes receives backing from City owner

General Sport

Hughes receives backing from City owner

12/11/2008

Manchester City owner His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has given manager Mark Hughes his full support.

It was the first meeting between the pair since Sheikh Mansour was confirmed as the controlling shareholder of the club.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and executive chairman Garry Cook also attended the meeting and Sheikh Mansour endorsed the plans that the board had drawn up at their meeting this weekend.

Hughes' side have struggled in recent months, recording just one win in seven Premier League matches.

That run of results had some experts wondering if Hughes could face an early exit from the club due to the success expected from City's new owner.

However, Sheikh Mansour has given Hughes his full support and agrees with the plan the Welshman has formulated to take the club forward both on and off the pitch.

His Highness said: "Mark shared with me his plans for how the team should be developed. His strategy is compelling and he has my absolute mandate to implement his plans to evolve this team in the right way over the short, medium and long terms.

"I fully endorse the plans approved by the Manchester City board that Khaldoon, Mark and Garry shared with me tonight. They reflect our shared aim of seeing Manchester City football club evolve to become a significant force in the world of football."

Sheikh Mansour also stated that he was committed to developing the whole club and was keen to maintain their position within the community.

He added: "Importantly we see that evolution being on every level and borne out of a sustainable approach that has its foundations in the club's academy; its fans and the relationship with the Manchester community."

Having signed Robinho for a club record fee at the end of the summer transfer window it is expected that Sheikh Mansour will demonstrate his support for his manager again in January with more high-profile signings.