Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill believes Manchester City's decision to sack Mark Hughes was "crazy".
The former Celtic manager cannot understand why City's Abu Dhabi owners did not give Hughes longer to turn the club into title contenders after giving him so much money to strengthen the squad.
"I suppose it's a microcosm of our game," he said.
"Manchester City have lost fewer games than anyone else in the league, they're in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and seemingly this decision was taken three or four weeks ago.
"As a manager, it doesn't inspire you with great confidence. Unfortunately, it happens in the game and that's the nature of it. It's a sad indictment. It's crazy.
"In any other industry, you'd be given the time to do the job, you really would. But football isn't like any other industry and more so than ever before.
"I must admit that very little surprises you but I was half-surprised about this, due to Hughes' record and the fact he's lost fewer games than anyone else. Mark will be disappointed not to have been given the chance to see the job through.
"Good, bad or indifferent, you have a situation where you've been given a job, handed some money but, because you've been given this money, it doesn't follow that you go out and win your next game 6-0. That just doesn't happen. You need a bit of time for it all to gel."
Source: DSG
