Foundations laid for Hughes to kick on

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Hughes could be installed as early as this week after being given permission to speak with the Eastlands outfit by Blackburn on Monday, hours after Eriksson's departure.

With the ambition and wealth of City owner Thaksin Shinawatra not in question, all that seems to be needed is a belief from Hughes than he can work with the former Prime Minister of Thailand for a deal to be done.

And, while it may seem the Welshman would be inheriting a messy situation, Dave Wallace, editor of the respected King of the Kippax fanzine, feels City are actually in a far healthier state than it initially appears.

"If you look at the fact we have a European campaign to build on, plus the young players and ones like Elano, Martin Petrov and Vedran Corluka, we have a lot to look forward to," said Wallace.

"We should be in a position to kick on from here and hopefully Mark Hughes, if that is to be who we get, will do that."

Wallace feels Hughes' first task should be to ease the fears of star names Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Joe Hart and Michael Johnson, whose futures have been the subject of intense debate amid the fall-out from Eriksson's departure, which was confirmed a couple of hours before permission was given for City to speak with the Manchester United legend.

"People seem to have been unsettled by what has happened to Sven," he said. "We have to hope the new manager comes in and sorts these lads out and ensures they stay."

At least he would have more time to prepare for next season than Eriksson had last year after only being appointed on July 6.

However, City's season will start much earlier as well given they will learn their UEFA Cup first qualifying round opponents on June 27 ahead of a first game on July 18.