Mixed reports over Cook future

Seemingly not one to be out of the headlines for long, Garry Cook finds himself centre stage once again today with the suggestion in The Guardian that ADUG are giving 'serious consideration' to the possibility of replacing him in the summer:

Manchester City's owners in Abu Dhabi are starting to give serious consideration to the position of the chief executive, Garry Cook, at the end of the season after becoming increasingly perturbed about his leadership style and the frequency with which he has attracted bad publicity.

Contrasting this though is a piece in The Independent, and somewhat a surprise given - as JPB also notes - that both are usually on the same page is the suggestion that Cook has the backing of the owners:

The Arabs have been astonished by the blizzard of publicity which City attract and they view Cook as an individual who has taken the hit for them after Hughes' departure last month. They also consider him pivotal to aspects of the club's corporate transformation which are alien to many traditionalists, and recognise the substantial role he had in player recruitment before Brian Marwood's arrival as football administrator. Cook, who remains generally popular with City fans, was heavily involved in the signing of Shay Given.

It should be noted that the club, via The MEN have dismissed the suggestion that Cook is on his way and I have to say I would be more inclinced to believe he will remain at the helm.

Cook is clearly a figure who divides opinion amongst fans, but it is clear that although his gaffes have been unwelcome and not endeared him too many, he has helped drive the club forward over the past 18 months - something surely not lost on those who employ him.