“we on the board have the highest regard for Mark”

With the clubs play not up to par and rumours of a possibly sacking of Mark Hughes begin to swirl, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke via the clubs web-site on their clubs future:

“We are calm and under control and we on the board have the highest regard for Mark. I am personally committed to him as I am committed to the partnership between Executive Chairman Garry Cook, Mark and myself.”

“This is a winning team that is going through a learning curve right now. While January is going to be an interesting opportunity for Mark to improve the team, this is an exciting ten-year dynasty that we are building and we are only in the first two months.”

Responding directly to reports of Mark Hughes days being numbered he said:

“Thankfully I do not read the newspapers that are saying he is under pressure but I find it incredible. Just today I am told that there are reports that we are associated with two different coaches and that we are about to sign them!”

“It is rubbish. I am committed to Mark and his team and I think people will see in January that we have good foundations in place in the team, we have a good coach and that we will be upgrading in terms of players. Hopefully the results will come.”