Cook quits as City CEO

Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has resigned following allegations he ridiculed Nedum Onuoha’s mother in an email.

Dr Anthonia Onuoha, who handles son Nedum’s contract, was in negotiation talks with Cook and City’s director of football, Brian Marwood, in October last year.

She privately emailed the pair explaining she was prepared to go ahead with talks, despite being ‘ravaged with cancer’.

A respondent from the club, under the name ‘Brian’, reportedly replied: ‘Ravaged with it!!……..I don’t know how you sleep at night. You used to be such a nice man when I worked with you at Nike. G’.

Cook initially denied having sent the email to Dr Onuoha but after the conclusion of a board-led review, he resigned on Friday.

The board, which found there was ‘foundation’ to Dr Onuoha’s claims, accepted his resignation ‘with regret’ after Cook admitted to an ‘error of judgement’.

Cook said he resigned because it was in the best interests of the club.

“I am privileged to have held my position at Manchester City and to have experienced the opportunities that it has presented,” he said in a club statement.

“The privilege is in part offset however by the significant personal focus which has at times, detracted from the magnificent achievements of those working at the football club.”

“It is that factor, together with my error of judgement in this matter that has prompted me to reach this decision, which I believe is in the best interests of the football club.”

Chairman Al Mubarak said Cook should be remembered for what he contributed to the club over the last three years.

“His judgement in this matter should in no way lead to his accomplishments being overlooked,” he said.

“On every level, the club is unrecognisable from the organisation which he inherited and our staff and supporter services, community outreach and commercial activity have seen unparalleled growth under his direction with yet more projects to be realised on the horizon.”