Mackintosh leaves the club

Manchester City Chief Executive Alistair Mackintosh has left the football club today by mutual consent.

Executive Chairman Garry Cook said: “I would like to thank Alistair for his decade of service to the club. He took us through a period of great change and progress, particularly the move from Maine Road to our home here at The City of Manchester Stadium.

“He goes with our very best wishes for the future.”

>>mcfc.co.uk

A fairly brief and terse statement from the club, and news that was widely expected following the appointment, and high profile that Gary Cook has had since he arrived (particularly with the appointment of Mark Hughes).

It was difficult to see how the two could realistically co-exist side by side given that Cook is clearly Thaksin's 'man', and I had heard earlier in the season that Mackintosh (and also Paul Tyrrell) would step aside this summer once there had been a (season long) period of transition from the old to new regime.

It is very much Cook's way now, and he looks to be a fairly impressive character thus far, certainly appearing more visible and accessible than Mackintosh ever was, but despite the general lack of support or feeling that the fans ever had towards him Mackintosh appears well respected in the game with a number of potential suitors for his services, indicating that he likely won't be out of work for too long.