City owners must change their approach: Hughes

(GSM) – Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has criticized the way he was replaced at Eastlands, insisting he would not discuss someone else’s job while also advising City owners to change their approach in order to capture on-pitch success.

City sacked Hughes in December last year and former Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini was quickly appointed as the Welshman’s replacement.

Hughes, who faces his former club at Craven Cottage on Sunday, says he would never discuss an occupied position.

“It’s not something that sits comfortably with me,” said Hughes. “I don’t think I’ve ever done it. There should be respect for people’s positions.

“If clubs come and ask if you’re interested in the job, I’d always say I wasn’t aware there was a vacancy.

“I’m not naive enough to think it doesn’t happen. Maybe I understood what went on after the event.

“People understood there were things going on that were a little bit disrespectful to me.

“Towards the end when I needed support it was not there. I could have come straight out and criticised everyone, but that’s not the way I do things.”

Meanwhile Hughes believes City’s Arab owners and chief executive Garry Cook will have to change their business approach in order to fulfill the club’s footballing ambitions.

He added: “Sometimes when business people come into football then strategies and business speak flies about because that’s their world. They think they can apply those principles to football.

“You can do everything right, make a profit, but get beat on Saturday.”