City chairman Cook insists Hughes can break Big Four domination of League

Manchester City hope new manager Mark Hughes will bring back the good times to the club

For the moment, Cook will work jointly with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh
on future strategy.

But with the highly-rated Mackintosh unlikely to remain at Eastlands long-term as a number of top-flight clubs, including Liverpool if the rumours are correct, are reviewing their own management structures, Cook seems set to gain sole charge of the day-to-day running and turn Thaksin's plans into reality.

And, with Hughes as manager, £20million Brazilian striker Jo set to sign and the promise of much more to come, Cook is predicting a big shake-up in England's
established order.

"It is possible to break in to the top four," he said.

"I would be very worried if anyone in the football club started to think it was not.

"We are at a point in time where there are four very strong clubs in English football. But we had a point in time when they thought the four-minute mile could not be broken.

"What we have to do is develop an investment plan and a strategy to change that."

At 45, Cook had no yearning desire to return to the UK until City came calling.

Having carved out an impressive niche for himself at Nike and been promoted to head of the Jordan brand, he was happy with life.

But, as he points out, sometimes offers can be so tempting they just cannot be
refused.

"It was too good an opportunity at too good a football club," said Birmingham-born Cook, who still has a passion for the St Andrews outfit.

"Suddenly, my career and my own history were irrelevant, I had to move.

"I told my wife this was a boyhood dream. The problem with boyhood dreams is that they are selfish. The only issue is that she was born in Florida, so I hope the weather does not beat her up too much."

With the sun beating down on City's Carrington training complex and Cook's friendships with Michael Jordan and Rod Stewart threatening to sprinkle stardust over Eastlands next season, he could be forgiven for thinking he had hardly left home at all.

However, Cook is aware he needs to build a few bridges, specifically with the supporters who have fallen out of love with Thaksin over his treatment of the popular Eriksson.

"We serve three communities; the owners, the employees and the fans," he said.

"There are bridges that need to be built and we have to put some plans together about how you do that.

"It is not for me to comment about what happened before I or Mark arrived but it made people uncertain and uncertainty makes people think something is wrong.

"But there is nothing wrong with this football club. It is a very strong organisation that is being well run.

"We are moving forward and I want the fans to come with us. After this week, once they see what we have got planned for them, I think they will."

And the blunt message for anyone not happy with the journey under Thaksin is 'get used to it'.

"In British football today fundamental needs are required that have changed over the last 10 years," said Cook.

"A wealthy owner is one.

"You also need great management, who know what they need to be successful.

"You also have to be prepared for European football.

"There are steps to be taken. However, if you look at the fundamentals, we have everything at Manchester City.

"We are a great club with tremendous fans and owners who want success and are
willing to invest in it.

"That is a the right recipe in anyone's book."