Hughes will take opportunity

City revel in new-found wealth

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hughes will take opportunity

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Mark Hughes insists he is ready for the challenge of turning Manchester City into European giants.

With Dubai-based business tycoons the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment having agreed to take over at the club, the Blues' financial capabilities have rocketed.

Brazilian ace Robinho was signed for a British transfer record on deadline day, while further new arrivals have been promised in January.

There are fears that City will be unable to tempt big-name stars to join them without the promise of UEFA Champions League football, but Hughes is adamant he is the right man to lead the team into Europe's premier club competition.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for everybody, myself included, and we are not going to let it slip," he said.

"We will do everything in our power to make sure we take advantage of the position we find ourselves in and make everything bigger and better than it was before."

Deserved

Hughes is relishing the prospect of having substantial funds at his disposal having previously excelled in the transfer market while working on a tight budget at Blackburn.

"I would like to think I deserve a bit of backing," he said.

"If you look at my record in the Premier League, with limited resources it is as good as anybody. With resources I back myself to be successful.

"I think the owners recognise that.

"In the last couple of years I have been talked of in terms of some of the top jobs in the Premier League so it is not as if they are getting someone who doesn't know what they are doing."

Outstanding

Hughes also insists the club's supporters need to maintain a sense of realism as the Blues prepare to piece together a squad capable of dominating at home and abroad.

"You can only play 11 at any one time," he said.

"There are more than 11 outstanding players in world football for a start and most of them are at top clubs already, so I am not sure you can say we will just cherry-pick players.

"What we will do is get the right players for the right positions.

"That is what building a football team and a club is about. We want players I think will enhance our chances of being successful.

"In that sense my role does not change.

"Maybe the sums of money to get a different level of player has changed but you need the same mindset."