Man City in Disarray

[Bryn]

As ever we're wading into realms of speculation here, all things in here are alleged. But, it sounds like Man City really are up shit creek. And the PL really should be taking a long, hard look at itself for letting Shinawatra anywhere near one of its clubs. If all this stuff is true the Premier League faces a huge challenge to its integrity and could be set for some serious change.

I'm posting here various posts made by people who, allegedly, have business interests with Man City and have worked on deals regarding the club, mainly the Vedran Corluka to Tottenham deal which is currently rumbling. They make interesting reading but it remains to see what will actually happen regarding the club.

"Let me start by saying that I am neither City or Spurs, but I do know a little about what is happening with Corluka due to a 'business' interest.

When Spurs first made contact, it was Shinawatra's people that agreed a fee with Spurs and told Corluka he was free to leave. They did that without Mark Hughes' knowledge or consent.

Corluka was suprised to say the least. When Hughes took over he told Corluka he was one of the mainstays in his future plan for MCFC. Nevertheless, Corluka travelled to London to meet with Spurs' people.

Hughes then found out about the deal, and basically vetoed it - which was something the Thai's people had agreed he could do with any transfer activity when he took over. That's when Corluka was summoned back to Manchester to go up to Glasgow for the Celtic friendly.

Behind the scenes a real row started between Hughes and certain elements of the board; Hughes furious that they had gone behind his back to sell Corluka to Spurs, and the board enraged that Hughes had effectively recalled him from London for the Celtic game.

Shinawatra's people told Hughes that evening that the deal was 'too good to turn down', largely due to Shinawatra's financial problems. So, immediately after the Celtic game, Corluka flew back to London to resume talks with Spurs.

When Spurs' initial offer was accepted, Corluka had no real desire to leave City. That wasn't anything against Spurs, more the vision for the future of MCFC he had been sold by Hughes and Cook. However, after meeting with Spurs and talking with Modric, Corluka was sold on Tottenham and agreed terms. He went through a two-day medical, which he passed without problem. He's been holed up in a London since early Friday morning - hence why he missed the club photo.

Spurs agreed the final details for the transfer with City yesterday morning, and Corluka put pen to paper on his player registration.

Then City's people accepted the offer from Sunderland for Stephen Ireland, and Hughes went properly mental. Twice in 48 hours he felt he was having players he wanted sold from under him. In a rage, it was Hughes who called Ireland and told him he was expected to report to the CoMS to report for the Milan game. Hughes putting him on for a couple of minutes was a big statement on his part.

Here comes the really interesting part.

Hughes last night told Cook he was through with City and wants out, the sale of Corluka and Ireland being the straw that broke the camel's back. He said if the Corluka deal went through particularly, he would be on his way out of City too.

At that point City have tried to derail the Corluka and Ireland deals.

BUT, Spurs claim to have completed the paper work for the transfer which has already been lodged with the FA and signed by someone from City with authorisation to do so. City say they agreed a sale in principle with Spurs, but that no final transfer documents had been signed.

As such Corluka, who was expecting to be paraded at White Hart Lane this afternoon, is in limbo. However, he has now set his heart on Spurs and linking up with Modric and has told City he will not return to the CoMS under any circumstances. He has been sold on Tottenham, and become frustrated with the background stuff taking place at City.

Spurs and City are maintaining their respective positions, but Spurs have basically told City that they are willing to see the issue go to court. They believe they have signed Corluka, and Corluka wants to play for them.

What a mess."

A news report on the deal.

Corluka stays with City

10/ 8/2008

Mark Hughes has won his battle to keep Vedran Corluka at Eastlands.

The defender has turned down an £8m move to Tottenham, and an expected pay hike, following a second round of talks with the new Blues boss.

It was widely expected Corluka would agree to the move after missing Saturday's 1-0 win over AC Milan and not being included on the official team photograph.

The u-turn is a huge boost for Hughes and City fans, the majority of which wanted the 22-year-old to stay following an impressive first season with the club.

Hughes said: “I am a huge admirer of Vedran. He is a top-class player with a bright future ahead of him and I am delighted that he continues to be a part of our plans at Manchester City.

“It is a real boost for everyone at the club. Vedran is a great lad and I am really looking forward to working with him over the coming seasons.”

Another article about Hughes and Shinawatra can be found here.

And here are the second and third "insider" quotes.

Dr Death is looking to find asylum outside of Thailand for him and his family, but isn't expected to ever return here. Burma is being mentioned. His dough is stuck and staying stuck at home, and he's looking at a very long time behind bars.

Any money used so far to finance city was borrowed from European banks, and it isn't there to be repaid.

Players bought in since his arrival have all been on the drip, and payments are now being missed. Hence Corluka being sold to Spurs for less than city paid than a year earlier.

Steven Ireland was sent to Sunderland for transfer talks yesterday behind Hughes's back, and the whole squad is available in a fire sale (including Richards).

They have no tangible assets, the stadium is council owned, and Carrington is apparently on a lease. So any prospective new buyer will have to write off millions of pounds worth of debt to buy a football club with no players and no stadium.

Administration looms.

"I'm sorry to say this, as a life long fan and - for the last few (for me at least) unforgettable months - employee, MCFC as we know it is finished. Here are the FACTS, for those who really want to know. Thaksin is, as of midnight 10th August, 2008, an international fugitive.

He now has to be found guilty of corruption in Thailand in his absence, offering no defence. Extradition requests will surely follow. The PL will then have to find him short of the fit and proper ownership rules (and believe me, the pressure for that from fellow 'members' has been growing since June).

Thaksin is trying to palm off City onto whoever will now take it, an insolvent mess of a business, completely incapable of sustaining itself. The truth is that the only interested party (until recently) - Wardle - is not now able to bail City out now , he cant come close on his own and no partners have been found. The wage bill and commitments due on the last 2 years' transfers have spiralled out of control.

The Corluka affair is the last straw - I personally worked on the deal and can assure anyone interested that he has already been transferred to Spurs. Spurs have this evening started legal action, and he will be barred from playing for City following an injunction in the courts tomorrow.

Personally I expect Hughes to then resign on principal (he has no choice now, he is on record as saying that he will have final say on all transfers). Many won’t believe any of this, but a few will.

I am very close to this situation (readers will never know who I am or how close - a few would know my name but it isn’t appropriate to for me to come 'out') - trust me, I am close enough to know what has happened in the last fortnight, I am ###### off with it (as a fan, and as someone who has worked hard for the club during the last 18 months or so) and it must be said, a little drunk.

I am posting this message on a few sites - apologies for those that keep reading it, but I want City fans to know what is happening. The sad truth is we are finished, and that as a result, the PL will be facing its biggest challenge since inception within 2 weeks of now."

Sounds like a right fooking mess. Shame, this could be hugely damaging for a club that looked like having a promising future. I reckon Hughes will end up as Ferguson's no. 2 at United and eventually get the job.

[Father Ted]

As ever we're wading into realms of speculation here, all things in here are alleged. But, it sounds like Man City really are up shit creek. And the PL really should be taking a long, hard look at itself for letting Shinawatra anywhere near one of its clubs. If all this stuff is true the Premier League faces a huge challenge to its integrity and could be set for some serious change.

I'm posting here various posts made by people who, allegedly, have business interests with Man City and have worked on deals regarding the club, mainly the Vedran Corluka to Tottenham deal which is currently rumbling. They make interesting reading but it remains to see what will actually happen regarding the club.

A news report on the deal.

Another article about Hughes and Shinawatra can be found here.

And here are the second and third "insider" quotes.

Sounds like a right fooking mess. Shame, this could be hugely damaging for a club that looked like having a promising future. I reckon Hughes will end up as Ferguson's no. 2 at United and eventually get the job.

I didn't read it all but I said at the moment that Hughes went to Man City that he has made a massive mistake!

I've heard also that he is on the verge of quitting.

[Simi]

The Premier League is crooked and there is no going back.

They let him in because it generates more income for them, simple as.

They will never learn whilst they are still lining their own pockets.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I've been to Disarray once. Lovely people.

[davieG]

I believe the points deduction for Admin is a FL thing so it will be interesting to see what the PL do if MC go into admin.

Any club with a rich benefactor in control is at risk of ending up like this, many of them seem to have skeletons in their cupboard.

In some ways I hope the whole Premier league set up crashes and that it gets to rise again in a fairer format because the current set up encourages clubs taking short cuts and unnecessary risks in the pursuit of success riches

[sdb]

he should never ever have been allowed to take over there. looks like he is absolutely destroying the club, getting any money he can ASAP so he can bribe his way out of trouble i expect.

[hairy]

Any club with a rich benefactor in control is at risk of ending up like this, many of them seem to have skeletons in their cupboard

Any news from the CPS on who they are / may being going after with the Portsmouth transfer saga?

[Jordan]

I believe the points deduction for Admin is a FL thing so it will be interesting to see what the PL do if MC go into admin.

I bet the other 19 would get together and bail MCFC out so as to spare the Premiership any further blushes!

[The Reverend]

What a staggering sequence of events. A shame aswel, Citty really looked ready to launch an assult for a European spot.

[Simi]

What a staggering sequence of events. A shame aswel, Citty really looked ready to launch an assult for a European spot.

Shame, but it will take a big club crumbling to pieces to make the Premier League realise.

[Kilworthfox]

Shame, but it will take a big club crumbling to pieces to make the Premier League realise.

That will not happen with people like Scudamore in charge!