Marwood appointment set to strengthen Hughes's position
From the excellent Henry Winter:
He is not a technical director. Repeat not. Knowing he would have to explain Marwood’s role to Hughes, Cook used the apt analogy of a winger serving a centre-forward. In City’s new chain of command, Marwood reports to Hughes. A popular figure within football, Marwood could prove a real ally for City’s manager.It does appear that Cook is well and truly behind Hughes as manager, and even if there was a suggestion from the ownership that a more 'glamourous' name (eg, Scolari) was preferred, then unquestionably Cook would advise against it. Winter expands further:
As we head towards March and the back end of the season it appears that the club is in a far more stable position than it has been all season. The January signings have bedded in fantastically well and both results and performances have picked up since the low points of January.Speculation persists about Sparky’s future. Is he strong enough to deal with big-name, moody Brazilians like Robinho? Wouldn’t the Special One, Jose Mourinho, or another Portuguese speaker, Big Phil Scolari, extract more from such talents? During Thursday’s board meeting, Cook underlined to the Abu Dhabi owners why they are right to keep the faith in Hughes.
Everything is in place at City: respected manager, fine stadium, loyal fans, great academy and fistfuls of petro-dollars. With sensible stewardship, with continued belief in the manager, City can flourish.
Well positioned now in the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup to make serious run at winning it, and sitting only three points of seventh place in the Premier League, are we now beginning to see the first real and tangible signs of a promising future?
2 comments:
I read in the paper (I forget which) that City was going to have a strong UEFA Cup run BECAUSE they are one of the few teams that have nothing to play for in the league. The implication was that we are safe from relegation but simply a mid-table side.
Wow... does this speak to the prevalent anti-City bias or what!? It doesn't take a wizard to see that this weekend could see us in a European League position.
As I’ve stated before, I think capturing a European place is ESSENTIAL for our summer transfer market. In terms of the “building a club” plan, we need to offer not only money but a stage to the next batch of players that may want to join us. Mid-table (last year) to Europe (next year) to top 4 run (year two) to top four (year 3) seems to be the type of steady improvement the club is after, continually improving the quality of player that makes the base of our squad as we become more and more viable as a contender.
We currently sit 10th... with Wigan 7th (and three points ahead), Fulham 8th, and West Ham 9th. We play the Hammers; Wigan is away to Chelsea; Fulham is away to Arsenal. We are ahead on goal differential versus all of them.
If we put in a good performance and grab a win... it is likely we'll sit even on points with Wigan and with everyone else putting one in the loss column. We'd sit 7th, on goal difference.
Here's the uncomfortable catch... 7th position will be qualify for Europe only if both the FA Cup and Carling Cup goes to a top 7 side... this weekend we also need *gulp* the rags to dispatch Spurs in the Carling Cup final.
I actually fancy our chances against the Hammers. Yes, our away form is still bad (on balance); yes, our form after midweek games has been poor. But, 1) we certainly are on a confidence high given the last two results; 2) Robinho has put in two very good shifts and is catching his early season form; 3) West Ham has been light at right back all year; 4) West Ham had a midweek game (FA Cup on Wednesday), as well; 5) Across the park I like our individual matchups (except Cole vs. Dunn).
So, here's to the weekend, and the promise it brings! CITD
So, here's to this weekend, and the hope that it brings.
This looks a shrewd and considered appointment.
The major weakness with Cook was a complete lack of experience and contacts within UK and European football. The floundering efforts to sign Ka Ka reflected badly on the Football Club and highlighted he was mishandling the situation and way out of depth.Unable to manage the negogiation we were ridiculed.
Marwood has a first class football pedigree with contacts- experience and has worked with Cook at Nike.
So I'm delighted with this appontment, nothing to do with day to day football and all to do reinforcing the management team with badly needed expertise.
All done without fuss or fanfare apart from mis representation and spin by the trash press.
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