So, finally after weeks of speculation the writing is finally on the wall for Sven. After meeting pre-season expectations of a top half finish, and European qualification, Sven can leave with his head held high. He succumbed to his own excellent start in the Blues hot seat, significantly heightening expectations after that early season bravado.
Whilst the casual observer, and perhaps indeed also the owner Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, where filled with over inflated Champions League dreams; the more astute observer would have seen that City were playing above their abilities, with tactical diligence and due luck to aid the early cause, this simply could not last all season through. With injuries mounting on an already slim squad an end-of-season slump punctured the blue balloon and European qualification looked ever-bleak.
More importantly was that what would happen now could very well determine the new ‘City ways’ for the foreseeable future: Shinawatra showed his apparently deficient football knowledge by acting on pure instinct and shortsightedness; completely losing touch with pre-season realities and long term targets. In the long term this may create a rotten compote of an ambitious hodgepodge of looming, if not, spectacular failure.
Experience has shown that sport teams and managements that show patience with a good coach will be rewarded in the long run (eg. Man United, Arsenal). No one can seriously doubt Sven-Göran Eriksson’s credentials to mould a winning team if only given the essential ingredient of time. Doubtless is also the talent possessed by the young City squad. What many of the players needed at the beginning of the season was experience and Eriksson astutely tried to supply this to his new players. His demeanor and calmness quickly rubbed off on the playing squad, giving them the confidence to succeed. It comes as no surprise then that Sven quickly became a popular Citizen with players and fans alike.
The opposite could be said by the Thai businessman and ex. prime minister Mr. Shinawatra. If he wants to take the club forward, he must realize that alienating his core fans, the blue side of Manchester, won’t help his own ambitions one bit. It seems today that Man City are the unfortunate recipients of a business culture that could leave most True Blue shocked and feeling bitter toward their own club. History, ethics and loyalty clearly don’t seem to have much part to play in the way forward of this culture and Sven was the first one to feel its effect. He won’t be the last.
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So, Mexico - ahoy!
Sven seems ready to set sail for America and while this might come as a surprise, one can see that the lure of having another crack at international management might be on his cards. Sven kept his dignity all through the late City trials and has always come across as a true gentleman and born diplomat. Coaching a national team nowadays seems to demand more and more of these qualities and Sven is a perfect match.
So, is Mark Hughes a perfect match for City?
No. Whilst Hughes has built himself a splendid reputation at Blackburn, he will never be ‘Citizen Hughes’, but a Red Devil through and through. Any True Blue would have to respond with a loud - and clearly resounding - no.
As for Mr. Shinawatra? As his sense of tact seems to be that of a pumped up bull in Pamplona - rushing aimlessly at anything red - who knows who he will have tackling the task…
