With Mark Hughes taking the hot-seat at Manchester City, one must wonder if it is the correct decision for the Welshman. It’s good for City, that’s for sure.

Hughes had taken Blackburn as far as he possibly could. They are now one of the most difficult teams in the Premier League to beat and a very aggressive yet talented side. Much like Hughes himself.

Money will be of no concern to the former Manchester United and Barcelona star but the heavy weight of Thaksin Shinawatra’s demands may cause an uneasy tension between the two.

'Shinawatra is showing his determination to succeed but at the same time displaying a complete ineptitude in business dealings at a football club. Hughes will not appreciate this'


Already Shinawatra is courting the possibility of Ronaldinho and his Brazilian countryman Jo arriving at Eastlands. Both will cost huge amounts of money but that isn’t the problem. Hughes is very much his own man and will undoubtedly want to do things his way. Why wouldn’t he?

Perhaps Sparky has demanded reassurances from the former Thai Prime Minister that his new job will not be undermined by the owner signing players whom HE wants in the side. If, and it’s a big if, Ronaldinho decides to swap the Nou Camp for the City of Manchester Stadium Hughes could have no real complaints. The Brazilian is finished in Spain and desperately needs a new focus in life - otherwise his incredible talent will be lost to the world. Shinawatra is showing his determination to succeed but at the same time displaying a complete ineptitude in business dealings at a football club. Hughes will not appreciate this.

It’s a crying shame that the owner of Manchester City simply does not know how to conduct himself in the very different world of football. Yet he will not be told and there could be many more uncomfortable moments for the fans, players and ultimately Hughes in the months to come.

Roman Abramovich may stick his nose in occasionally at Stamford Bridge but it is rarely made public - and apart from Andrei Shevchenko he has stayed out of team affairs.

Shinawatra is public and not in any way reserved in his comments regarding thoughts on his new toy. Why should he be? Well, football ain’t politics and the man may make more enemies than friends over the next few years.

It’s another step up the managerial ladder for Hughes and the next part of his learning curve. Perhaps Chelsea would have been a better choice but I do not think Abramovich really wanted him. Hughes is still not high profile enough for Chelsea right now.

I just can’t see the Shinawatra-Hughes relationship lasting or being a successful one for both parties. In fact, I do not believe that anyone in his right mind would take that job on. It’s already a poisoned chalice and the limited patience that Shinawatra obviously holds will grate on Hughes.

Totally blinded, Shinawatra believes that City will be challenging for the title next season. The pressure on Hughes (and not from the fans) will be intense and he will not relish or enjoy this side of the lucrative package he has been given.

Whether he realises it or not, Shinawatra has created a dark cloud that hangs over Manchester City and has developed into a lasting uncertainty over his credentials to run a football club. He won’t take a back seat and allow the people in the know to get on with things - and this would cause disruption in any job or walk of life.

People in general do not like others peering over their shoulder with an axe which could fall at any time. It creates tension and nerves, which in turn festers to minimise the productivity and happiness of an employee.

I can only see discontent and bizarre goings on at the home of a club with great and proud fans.And I worry for football in general if this trend continues.