ON THE WAY OUT ... Mark Hughes
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and owner Sheikh Mansour
finally lost faith following City's 3-0 drubbing at Tottenham on
Wednesday.
Guus Hiddink and Jurgen Klinsmann are understood to be
on City's wanted list of replacements for Sparky.
Russia coach Hiddink excelled as Chelsea's stand- in
boss last season and his agent yesterday claimed there has already
been contact from City. But former Germany chief Klinsmann is
also in the frame - especially as he is currently out of
management.
Hughes, 46, was appointed as City boss in June 2008 and
has spent £250million on the team. But the club's Abu Dhabi owners
have not seen the return on their investment they were
expecting.
I understand Hughes came close to getting the sack on
November 28 after his team yet again surrendered a lead to draw at
home to Hull.
Chairman Khaldoon left Eastlands furious but decided to
give Sparky more time following a long phone conversation with him
the next day.
It was the third successive time City had thrown away
an advantage, having also drawn 2-2 with Fulham and 3-3 with
Burnley.
Hughes appeared to have turned things round by reaching
the Carling Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win against Arsenal and
following that with a 2-1 triumph over Chelsea. But City then
drew 3-3 at struggling Bolton and the hammering at White Hart Lane
has now forced his bosses' hand.
City have lost just twice this season but are currently
eighth in the Premier League after a run of eight draws.
The performances of some of the high-profile stars like
Robinho and Emmanuel Adebayor have not helped Hughes. But he
has also spent big on a defence that has already shipped 24 goals
in the league.
City defender PABLO ZABALETA has
signed a new 4½-year deal with the club.
