City reaffirm faith in Hughes

Manager backed to turn club's season around

Last updated: 5th January 2009

City reaffirm faith in Hughes

Hughes: Backing from board

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Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has reiterated the club's faith in under-fire manager Mark Hughes.

A shock 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round on Saturday has only served to fuel rumours regarding Hughes' future at City.

Hughes has endured a difficult first half to the season at the City of Manchester Stadium, with expectations high following the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover.

He is keen to reinforce his squad during the January transfer window and has already sealed the signing of Wayne Bridge from Chelsea.

The City boss wants another five new signings before the end of the month and Cook is confident Hughes can turn the team's season around.

Cook confirmed the Welshman retains the support of the board and believes the situation will settle down once the transfer window shuts.

Build and change

"Mark is part of building the club, from the playing side right through to making this a great place for employees," Cook told The Sun.

"What we don't do is sit around worrying about what happens if it goes wrong."

He added: "Once we get through the first window, when Mark's impact will be able to advance the future of the football club, things will start to settle down.

"Mark's plans and the way he is running the team are going to build and change and the confidence will start to build.

"We will bring people here who want to see the club move forward and the fans will ideally take to them because they're committed to the club.

"Mark has played and managed at the highest level and knows what success looks like.

"He and I talk about that success all the time and we are not standing there thinking about 'what if'.

"We are thinking about when we become successful and how that'll look."