Mark Hughes' Manchester City: Genuine Contenders or Great Pretenders?

Glory Days

Since 1968, when captain Tony Book lifted their last league title, Manchester City’s fans have been waiting in the dark, watching their rivals from across the city lift trophy after trophy both at home and abroad.

Whilst down in the doldrums of the old Division Two (the equivalent of today’s League One) in 1998-99, they had to watch on as Manchester United lifted the Champions League trophy after a 2-1 comeback victory against FC Bayern Munich.

It is somewhat ironic though that the same season was perhaps the most City have had to cheer since the heady days of ’68, with a miraculous victory in the 1999 Playoff Final against Gillingham at Wembley.

Takeover

It is therefore no surprise that the Blues’ faithful were ecstatic when the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover of the club in September 2008, making them the richest club in the world in the process. The offer of a bottomless pit of transfer funds had tongues wagging, spouting all sorts of exotic superstar names that were wanted at Eastlands.

Undoubtedly the whole ‘will he, wont he’ saga with the proposed transfer of Kaka from Milan had City fans in dream land.

Would a winner of the World Player of the Year award be gracing the Premier League in the light blue colours of Manchester City?

In the end, Kaka was not lured by the mass riches on offer, when maybe other players would have been. But this may have been a blessing in disguise for Mark Hughes, without the pressure of fitting such a household name into his side week in, week out.

And his sluggish start to his Real Madrid career may have shown that Kaka shone in the Milan side but is not the most adaptable player, and the breakneck speed of the Premiership may not have suited his game.

Change of Plan

Following this snub, Mark Hughes changed tact, and decided to sign proven Premier League performers—the most shrewd of which is the acquisition of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. At just £12million (£6million less than that offered for Barry from Liverpool 12months earlier), Sparky bought an unglamourous but hugely effective player, the type of which is crucial for the Robinho’s and Wright-Phillips’ of the team to shine.

Another key signing was that of goalkeeper Shay Given from relegated Newcastle United. The most important area on the field is never easy to fill, as has been shown by the fumbling performances of Manchester United’s Ben Foster in the absence of regular No. 1 Edwin Van Der Sar.

But the star of City’s season so far has been the enigmatic Craig Bellamy. His work rate, commitment and, to be fair his ability, have rarely been questioned. His behaviour and attitude have though, but under the stewardship of Mark Hughes, under whom Bellamy shone for Wales, he has become an integral part of the City team, and epitomises what the Premiership is about; speed, passion and 100 percent effort.  

Experience

The arrivals of Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz have bolstered the City attack with a combination of flair, power and pace, whilst maintaining the key ingredient—Premiership experience.

Similarly, the new central defensive pairing of Kolo Toure and, somewhat controversially Joleon Lescott, bring with them the know-how of dealing with the threats of Torres, Drogba and Rooney that would be lacking had Hughes opted to bring in players from the continent.

Man For The Job?

Some have questioned whether Mark Hughes is the man to take the Blues forward into the recently unchartered territory of the top end of the league table. His relative lack of experience in management compared with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have led to questions over Hughes’ ability to bring big names to the club.

It could be argued that had someone of the standing of Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti been at the helm of City, then Kaka may have swapped Milan for Manchester and followed his former boss north.

But would he have wanted to work for Mark Hughes?

And was this perhaps a factor in why he chose the Santiago Bernabeu over Eastlands?

Who knows, but if City are to be serious challengers for major honours sooner rather than later, then the key factor will be the fact that Hughes opted for proven Premiership players rather than superstars from Serie A or La Liga—whether it was forced upon him or not.

The weekend’s result against Fulham, and the concession of a two-goal lead, would suggest that City are not quite the real deal just yet.

What is for certain though is that so far City seem to have gelled as a team, and appear to be moving in the right direction—and for this, Mark Hughes must take credit.

Verdict:

Mark Hughes’ Manchester City: Genuine Contender or Great Pretender?

For the time being I would say the latter, but in years to come we will see City impose themselves on the cosy scene of the "Big Four"—whether Mark Hughes will be there for the ride remains to be seen.