Hughes set for transfer kitty
05 Jun 2008 - 08:06:56
Mark Hughes has been promised funds to make his mark on the Manchester City squad following his appointment as Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor.
Hughes left Blackburn Rovers to sign a three-year contract at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday and, much like his predecessor, the former Wales boss will be handed a large transfer kitty on his arrival.
Eriksson spent around £50million on a raft of new players following his appointment last summer and Hughes appears set to receive a similar amount.
Hughes is expected to be followed to Eastlands by his Rovers lieutenants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki.
New executive chairman Garry Cook told the club's official website: "The club intends to invest in new players as well as securing the long-term services of key members of the current first-team squad.
"Mark has already identified some of the players and backroom staff that he wants to see here at City and we will begin the process of recruiting them immediately."
One of the first players to arrive at the club following the appointment of Hughes could be Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.
The 28-year-old Barcelona forward has already been targeted by City's ambitious owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
"I am 59 next birthday, so I am not a man who can wait for many years to see my dreams come true," he told the Daily Mail.
"Ronaldinho is 28. He has much still to offer, he is a star. You need a combination of new players, existing players, quality, young and old."