Fergie slams City behaviour

Red Devils boss calls rivals' attitude 'unacceptable'

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 24th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Related links

Teams

Also see

Sir Alex Ferguson has called Manchester City's treatment of former manager Mark Hughes as 'unacceptable'.

Hughes lost his job at Eastlands last weekend despite losing just twice in the Premier League all season and with a Carling Cup semi-final against rivals Manchester United to look forward to in January.

Many managers have jumped to the Welshman's defence, including former United team-mate Steve Bruce and Ferguson, despite having a somewhat frosty relationship with Hughes during his time managing Blackburn and City, has offered his support to his former charge.

City chief executive Garry Cook has moved to defend the club's decision to replace Hughes with Roberto Mancini but Ferguson believes such behaviour is unacceptable.

"It was unacceptable behaviour," he said.

"It doesn't matter whether you have lost 20 games or two, there is a way to treat people.

"For some reason Christmas seems to bring out the worst in directors. I do not know how you can do something like that.

"From Saturday morning the rumour mill was working and Mark must have realised it was his last game. It was a terrible position to be in."

Comments (17)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Ryan Goodman says...

Mark Hughes was a manager who found it difficult to control big name players. He was bought in to manage city on a budget before the takeover, and was given a chance to build a team to conquer.In football the manager has to be bigger than his players, but Mark found it difficult to control certain players. As for Mr Ferguson`s comments, they are a cheap way to try to unsettle Roberto's preparations for the up and coming cup game.

Posted 11:15 25th December 2009

Matthew Bibby says...

Sparky's lost just 2 games, 1 of them a thriller to United which could've gone either way. They're in their 1st semi final for years & then City go & sack him! Just incredible. We have a transfer window for players. It's time to have one for the managers too. If managers could only be changed between July & August maybe we would see an end to this ridiculous situation! When will these owners learn that football clubs are just that. Football clubs. They can't pump money in & expect to get it all back straight away. It took Sir Alex 6 years to win his 1st trophy & look what he's done since. Wenger was given time at Arsenal & made them sucsessful. Since Chelsea sacked Moriniho what have they won? Give Managers the time they need to build a team that will play for them to have the best chance of sucess!

Posted 11:11 25th December 2009

Amjid Tahir says...

Totally agree with Sir Alex. Mark Hughes from what I could See, was getting it right, and I must admit as a Man Utd Fan, I was watching City with interest. I honestly think the City Management have scored an own goal with this sacking as foreign Managers are not always the answer.

Posted 11:10 25th December 2009

Gary Jenkins says...

If Sir Alex feels so bad about Mark Hughes sacking maybe he should offer him a job. What a successor he would be!

Posted 10:57 25th December 2009

Christopher Arnfield (Manchester United fan) says...

Most of my mates are blues and most agree with SAF on this one. It is a pity that some on here seem to let their bigotry blind their judgment. SAF has championed younger, British managers, for years, so those criticising him for that are letting themselves and their club down. I suppose that judging by the fact that those criticising SAF are unable to string a simple sentence together correctly, says it all. Gary Cook is fast becoming the Inspector Clouseau of football, what with his unbelievably inept attempt at signing Kaka, and then stating that AC Milan `bottled` it, is pitiful. His ham-fisted behaviour at the recent press conference where he was continually caught out lying and trying to cover up was laughable. City deserve to be better led otherwise they will be as despised as Chelsea.

Posted 10:55 25th December 2009

Julian Barnett (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Well said Alex, this Cook guy has even tried to drag Liverpool into the mix in an effort to deflect attention from his dirty dealings - as a footy fan I was excited at the prospect of City's new potential - the way the City board are running the club they will soon be despiced as much as Chelsea!

Posted 20:23 24th December 2009

Adam Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

I fully agree with Sir Alex and others who have voiced thier condemnation of the way Manchester City have dealt with Mark Hughes. He was only part way through the rebuilding of a previously spent force in football and should have been allowed to at least complete this season, look what he has done for them so far, their first Semi Final in any major competition for I cant remember how long. And as for them saying they had only just approached Mancini, what a laugh. I hope they struggle, serves them right but I feel sorry for their fans.

Posted 20:16 24th December 2009

Sid Sugden says...

i agree with Sir Alex. City have plumbed the depths of the meaning, FAIR PLAY. I hope the fans will support Mark Hughes and show their discust at the way he has been treated by voiceing their utter contempt at every game until those responsible are sacked themselves. Money has crippled football and the fans know it.

Posted 20:12 24th December 2009

Senior Johnson says...

Hughes signed a contract . Why the noise if he didnt perform

Posted 20:07 24th December 2009

Faithi Johnson (Arsenal fan) says...

I agree with Fergie, Bruce , foreign managers are continually landing the big jobs whilst British Managers are overlooked. Juande Ramos for example is similiar towards Roberto manchini as he also has a great managerial record. However, the 2008 2009 season saw Ramos lead Tottenham to the worst ever start to a league campaign with the team placed bottom of the table. In comparison to that I dont think Manchini will do a better job than Mark. Garry Cook shame on you and you call yourself British haaa!!

Posted 18:30 24th December 2009

Arthur Menday (Manchester City fan) says...

I agree with Sir Alex. I think the City Peoples behaviour was disgusting & sick. There was no dignity in what happened & the FA should act now to make sure it does not happen again.

Posted 18:25 24th December 2009

Dave Smith (Manchester City fan) says...

Total Rubbish,,,,,,,,,,Fergie does not give a toss about what has happend to Hughes. He is just trying to undermine the club that are going to take over from his "end of an era" team.

Posted 17:50 24th December 2009

Robert Reed (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

i think fergie should should keep his big red nose out of it, he seems to have a moan about every thing in football is this a man u thing or some thing mark hughes , roy keane and steve bruce ex man u players maon about referees if the game doesnt go there way its always the refs fault not thier team selection or tattics so all 3 give it a rest

Posted 17:40 24th December 2009

Stephen Grant says...

Mark Hughes has alway been a big time player both as a manager and as a player he wil dust himself down and go again just like he did as a player at Man Utd (twice) Barcelona and Chelsea. What is a shame is that if your an english player in the premier league you had better go to college and make sure you speak at least 5 european languages so that you can communicate with your manager!!! Mark Hughes is one of the leading young mangers in this country yet he will probably have to go to Europe to be successful where they will give him time to get his team right. He only lost twice and proved Man city are a hard team to beat only after 2 seasons Fergie needed 4 if i am not mistaken To the City Directors ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY!!!! Good luck Mr Hughes at least he showed balls

Posted 17:30 24th December 2009

Sean Smith (Manchester City fan) says...

Sorry but think this is another attempt to take attention away from Utd failings this season. As we've been in the press all week..Fergie had the heat taken off him from Fulham hiding. And a case of pot calling the kettle. How many times have we read stories from players who were frozen out by SAF. At the end of the day there is no good way to sack anybody!!!! And the comment about just prior to Xmas....come on..don't think Hughes as any worries finanacially...He's set for life. When he says our owners have acted 'unacceptably' and he bases that onwhat? The previous owners..The Edwards.....Now there is a story. To Fergie and all the rest...the man was sacked for not delivering..and never really looked like gettin better..So we made a quick decision,and have brought in a much better man................ The old man turning into the grumpy uncle that has selective memory....And the day our fans set up a completely new team then we will have sunk to the depths of our Southern friends across at the swamp!!

Posted 17:10 24th December 2009

Mike - north stand blue (Manchester City fan) says...

1st time I've ever agreed with Fergie !

Posted 11:25 24th December 2009

Red Shadeux (Manchester United fan) says...

Well said Sir Alex, City directors should be wholly ashamed of their disgraceful behaviour to Mark Hughes, lets hope Mark moves on upward very soon and secures a club who will appreciate his talent.

Posted 11:19 24th December 2009
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private