Mark Hughes insists his Manchester City job is safe, as
he prepares to meet the club’s new owner for the first
time.
Pressure is mounting on the City boss after six
defeats in their opening 11 games left The Premier League’s
big-spenders struggling in mid-table.
Hughes is set for talks with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak
and chief executive Garry Cook prior to Sunday’s clash with
Tottenham and will fly to Dubai to meet owner Sheik Mansour Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday.
Hughes said in The Mirror: “There have been some disappointing
results, but the owners don ‘t strike me as the kind of people who
would make a knee-jerk reaction.
“They want to challenge for the top honours, but they know it
has to be a long-term project.”
Meanwhile, Hughes issued a hands-off warning to Chelsea after
reports emerged that Luiz Felipe Scolari was keen to lure Robinho
from Eastlands.
The Brazilian was a top-target for The Blues over the summer,
but a deal could not be agreed with former club Real Madrid and
City stepped in to steal his signature.
Robinho has enjoyed a brilliant start to his Premier League
career, and Hughes laughed off speculation he could quit the
club.
The City boss said in the Daily Star: “Good players will always
attract attention. But Robinho has signed a long-term contract
here.
“This is where he will stay. They had their opportunity and
could not do a deal. Now I don’t know whether they could afford
him.”
