Everything comes to those who wait.
But it seems the Arab money men who run the blue half of Manchester, don’t have the patience or the understanding of how success is built in the Premier League.
Throwing fistfuls of cash at Man City does not an overnight transformation make, nor does losing faith in Mark Hughes who had more than met his immediate targets. This time last year, City fans would have bitten your hand off to be in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and lying sixth in the league with only two defeats all season.
Yes, there have been too many draws and the City defence needs shoring up but one could not expect Hughes to get it right pronto. After all, look at Sir Alex Ferguson. It took him four years before he got the United bandwagon of success up and running and he came within one defeat of getting the elbow.
City’s less than convincing chief executive Garry Cook said Hughes had been given every facility to meet the Board’s targets which seemed to have changed in mid-stream but of course, he missed out that vital commodity — time.
So will the Italian Roberto Mancini who has been on the sidelines since 2008, do what City crave most — qualifying for the Champions League next season?
I would not bet on it, although his experience and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan, make him suitable to sort out any defensive frailties.
He will be given six months to show what he can do but if he fails to meet the new targets, he too will be gone.
It was noticeable that Mancini when asked about his contract said, “Six months and then three years” which suggests the latter part is optional.
Mancini is only 6-4 to be gone before the end of 2010 and the same price not to win a trophy.
Date of Mancini’s departure from Man City (Hill’s): 6-4 2010; 9-4 2011; 4-1 2012; 7-2 2013 or late.
What will Mancini win at City? 6-4 nothing; Carling Cup; 3-1 FA Cup; 5-1 Premier League; 8-1 Champions League; Europa League.
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