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Mark Hughes hits back at rival managers
03.08.09
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes some of his Premier League peers may indulge in mind games because they never made it to the top as players.
City are determined to challenge the Premier League's big four this season and have gone on a huge summer spending spree backed by the almost limitless wealth of club owner Sheikh Mansour.
This attempt to fast-track themselves to the top has been criticised by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who described City as a "small club with a small mentality" while Arsenal and Liverpool counterparts Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez have attacked the way City's spending has distorted the transfer market.
Hughes, who played with distinction for Manchester United and Barcelona among others, questioned whether some managers spoke out as they did because they had never been able to let their feet do the talking.
He told the Daily Express: "I have never had to court publicity myself because I played for top clubs.
"I was reticent to say too much at all when I was playing. The truth is I never had to, because my performances generated headlines anyway. I was good at what I did and that was enough.
"That has been my way for 45 years so I don't think I will suddenly become one for mind games.
"But other managers feel that their profile has been raised and they have to do that. Maybe it is because they have not played at a certain level.
"I'm aware managers are saying things about us at the moment but I see that as trying to ease pressure on themselves - that is predictable."
Reader views (5)
Me thinks MH is feeling the pressure. He was a good centre forward, but nothing extraordinary. Unfortunately cant say the same re his managerial talent or rather lack of.
- Leo, london,england
You don't have to be a horse to be a good jockey. MH was a good player but never the best at his time like Thierry Henry was, or Ronaldo is. Wenger and Fergie are tops in the football management business with either success or style or both. Mark Hughes should concentrate on buying decent players and playing football worth watching. I sincerely hope he is not another Mourhino, with football that can cause suicidal tendencies.
- Sorie Kamara, London, UK
Both wrong.
Ferguson has spent millions, even in the early years, to achieve success. Benitez too (minus the success). Wenger out of the three is by far the shrewdest in the market but even he is always backed with funds when it comes to spending big.
City Slicker your inane comments aren't even worth replying to.
- Stu, Beckton
Maybe not top players but they are certainly top managers, something which Mark Hughes are failed to achieve yet.
And if he does achieve it will be be on the back of spending a cash mountain not like Ferguson, Wenger and Benitez who have spent money on the back of the success they achieve
- Martin Van, london
Handled beautifully MH. Ferguson, Benitez and Wenger were all non entities as players. Like they say empty vessels make the most noise and so they do.
- City Slicker, Manchster, UK
