Thaksin issue will not destabilise City: club official

The controversy surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra will not create instability at Manchester City football club, executive chairman Garry Cook said.

Thaksin has arrived in Britain after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Thailand and the Premier League may make him take their test to see if he fits their profile of a bona fide club owner.

“City’s future is not in jeopardy,” Cook told the Manchester Evening News.

“In the short term, it is business as usual. We don’t rely on Dr Thaksin’s money.

“When Mark Hughes makes a decision we go through the normal process, which can include banks, finance, or a whole bunch of different things just like any other club.”

Cook said the former Thai Prime Minister was looking at the club with a long-term view.

“He is willing to look at whatever it takes to make City a great football club,” said Cook. “This is a guy who loves City.”

Cook spent time with Thaksin in Beijing before he returned to England.

“I gave him an update on the club and we talked about new player acquisitions,” said Cook. “We also talked over dinner about why he had bought the club and his intentions.

“It was really clear he wants to be at this football club for the next 10 years. He wants to build a dynasty and he was disappointed that people think he wanted to get in and back out.”