Mourinho To Inter Hughes To Man City

So the summer managerial merry-go-round has really started to hot up in the last couple of days.

Sven got kicked out of Manchester City somewhat harshly if you ask me.  He did the double over Man Utd.  When was the last time City did that?  Ok, the second half of the season didn’t quite match the great start they had but come on, let’s be fair, I thought he did a good job for City and could of only improved next season.  Have you heard where Sven is probably going next?  Wait for it….. the head coach of Mexico!  Andalé, andalé Sven!

Of course, we already knew about Avram Grant being dumped by Chelsea and all the speculation started about who was going to replace him.  Would it be Mancini who had also been sacked by Inter Milan after completing his third successive league title.  And I thought Sven’s dismissal was harsh!

Then other names like Mark Hughes, Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard, Gus Hiddink etc etc started to appear.  Then, one by one, all the names, apart from two, dropped by the wayside.  The two favourites appeared to be Ancelotti of AC Milan and Mark Hughes of Blackburn Rovers.

Reports came out of Stamford Bridge that there was a difference of opinion as to who was the ideal candidate.  It appeared that Roman Adramovich, the clib’s owner, preferred the experience of Ancelotti and inparticular his Champions League experience.  However, those within the board room wanted Mark Hughes to return to his former club, where he played between 1995 - 98 and won the FA Cup with the Blues.  In deed, he was quite a favourite at the Bridge.

Who would triumph?  Well, it looked as though Ancelotti was on his way to south west London.  I even saw a headline on SkySports.com that said it was basically a "done deal".  Looks like they were a little over eager and jumped the gun somewhat as now they are reporting that Ancelotti wants to stay at Milan!  And the BBC are reporting Ancelotti is out of the Chelsea running.  In fact he is now quoted as saying,

"I’m staying at AC Milan for sure, and for many seasons to come."

Well at least he seems to have made his mind up. 

Now what all this has done, is that it means both the top candidates for the job 24 hours ago are now no longer in the frame.  Because not only has Ancelotti professed his love for Milan, Mark Hughes has decided to go to Manchester City on a 3 year deal!  Now, may be this is just me, but is that a little strange?  And I wonder how popular Hughes will now be on the Stretford End? 

He should still be, and forever remain, a hero to all United fans quite frankly.  "Sparky" as he was known, was a great player.  Amazing strength and power, a true competitor. 

Hughes has done a great job at Blackburn and I hope Rovers got a good deal of compensation from Man City for taking their boss!  But Hughes at Man City is going to take a bit of getting used to, and for him as wellI would think!  I for one, can’t wait for the Manchester derby next season.  It will be extremely interesting to see (and hear) what happens.

Mark Hughes the new Man City Manager looking somewhat serious.  Perhaps he’s already thinking of next season’s visit to Old Trafford!

But there is a huge void now at Ewood Park following Hughes departure.  So who is going to end up there? 

Well, one thing for sure is that it won’t be a guy called Jose!  Yes, Mourihno is back in gainful employment and this time he’ll be up against Ancelotti in Italy’s Serie A as the new boss and replacement for Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan.  His appointment has hardly come as a surprise, has it!  It must have been the worst kept secret in football all season.

Jose is back!  Have you missed him?  He looks like he’s about to slip that Inter shirt on.  Wonder if he thinks he can get a game?

I’m glad to say, that Mourinho was back into the swing of things straight off at Inter with his first press conference as Inter boss.  Apparently he is no longer "The Special One".  But is he a very good manager!  Shy as always.

Italian football has suddenly become a far more interesting place to be and I can’t help wondering if the arrival of Jose has in some way helped Ancelotti to make his mind up to stay and be his neighbour.  Of course, that’s just me thinking out loud, but you never know!

Can’t wait for the new season in England and Italy!

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