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Michael Ball Exclusive: Hughes Knew What Man City's Targets Were And Failed
Ex-City defender says the buck had to stop with deposed boss.
Dec 19, 2009 4:16:06 PM
Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball has revealed to Goal.com UK why he believes Mark Hughes can have no complaints over his dismissal as manager at Eastlands.
News broke during City's 4-3 victory over Sunderland on Saturday that Hughes was on his way out at City, and it proved no coincidence that former Internazionale manager Roberto Mancini was looking on from the stands, with the Italian confirmed as Hughes' replacement within two hours of the final whistle.
Ball, who was released by City at the end of last season, feels that Hughes knew what the parameters of his job were under owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan - and that he failed to deliver.
"Ultimately, the buck stops with the manager and the owners have spent a lot of money since they came in," Ball told Goal.com UK. "They want Champions League football and the win/loss ratio tells its own story.
"Hughes had a job to do, the owners lost patience and he's out. What can you do?
"The new manager will be given funds to strengthen the squad and people will be looking at who they buy in the coming weeks and months ahead.
"The owners want a Champions League place, make no mistake, and Mancini certainly has the technical nous and tactical ability to make a good go of this."
Ball, who spent two seasons at City, points to a lack of team cohesion for their fluctuating results, and uses his own replacement at left-back, Sylvinho, as a prime example.
"Certain positions [in defense] they do look a bit wobbly," added Ball.
"The only reason Sylvinho is not having a great time at the moment is because there is a great deal of space between him [at left-back] and Robinho [ahead of him on the flank].
"He needs his team-mates to help him out, and with the amount of space that's available to the opposition he's being run ragged, and it's not all his doing."
There is clearly no love lost between Ball and Hughes, who made the decision to release the former England international earlier this year.
"I wasn't in the manager's plans at the time," said Ball. "I was called into his office and told I was going to be released. I don't want to say too much, but my last few months at City weren't the most enjoyable, put it that way.
"I did want to stay, I was happy there and I believe I would have done a good job.
"Before Sven-Goran Eriksson [Hughes' predecessor] left, I was doing wel,l but he [Hughes] wanted someone else. I'm sure I would have done a good job if I was still there."
Mohammed Bhana, Goal.com
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