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What now for Manchester City?

Author: John Harris
Date: 28/12/2009
Football betting

Where do Manchester City go from here?

After the unsavoury dismissal of Mark Hughes following the 4-3 home success against Sunderland on December 19, the Citizens' hierarchy made the announcement that the Welshman would be replaced by former Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini.

It has left many scratching their heads after Hughes had guided the side to just two defeats in the Premier League this season.

Despite this, they remained six points off Aston Villa, who occupied the fourth and final Champions League place, at the time of his sacking and it may have been this that forced his bosses into action.

City remain sportsbook outsiders to grab the Premier League crown this term.

Hughes had money to burn in the summer and some of his signings have continued to look questionable.

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Kolo Toure entered the revolving door at City of Manchester Stadium from Arsenal and his solid defensive displays on show at the Gunners have so far lacked for his new club.

Roque Santa Cruz had found himself used as a bit-part player up until Hughes' final game, where he started, and ironically showed his former boss what he'd been missing when he notched two goals.

Sylvinho, although not a big money transfer, is too old for Premier League competition and looks way out of his depth.

Fellow defender Joleon Lescott has gradually improved, but his £24million price tag seems to bother him and he is another who struggles to live up to the huge expectations expected from him.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez, in the main, have been hit-and-miss and it will take the right man to get the best out of the difficult pair.

Mancini must stamp his authority on the club immediately if he is to appease the success thirsting board of directors and the club's fans, who now expect instantaneous results.

The 45-year-old will no doubt be linked to every top-class player under the sun and after his time with Inter, there are sure to be negotiations between himself and his predecessor, Jose Mourinho.

Alleged want-away Brazilian Robinho will take some persuading that Manchester is the place to be and the former mercurial Italy international will need to pull out all the stops to keep him in England.

Owner Sheikh Mansour is likely to allow his new man to make plenty of splurges in the January transfer window to kick-start their assault on the Premier League.

However, they sit 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, it looks more than likely that any challenge will come next year.

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