Premier League - Snubbed Elano slams Hughes

Eurosport - Tue, 11 Nov 15:22:00 2008

Manchester City midfielder Elano has criticised manager Mark Hughes for his lack of playing time and said there is no feedback off the pitch from the former Wales boss.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League - Elano of Manchester City - 0

The Brazil star, who joined over a year ago from Shakhtar Donetsk, believes his options have diminished since Hughes took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson in the summer.

"When I am playing I know what he wants; when I come off there is nothing from him," Elano told Sky.

"It's his right - he is the manager. I respect him and I will keep working, arriving on time and doing my duties at the club, but my sadness is at not playing.

"I can't hide that from the fans or the president, who wants to make this a big club. I think I have the capabilities to be playing."

City, now backed by the billions of the Abu Dhabi United Group, have Elano's Brazil team-mate Robinho, former favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips and highly-rated Stephen Ireland in their ranks - all flair players operating from midfield positions.

However the need to start so many attackers seems to have taken its toll, with the club only 13th in the Premier League table despite the investment having won half the number of points they had in the bank at the same stage last season.

Elano, regarded as a superstar during his first season at Eastlands, was upbeat about the future of the club during these financially uncertain times; but less so about his own prospects.

"City have a big project. They have something which not many clubs have at the moment: money," he said.

"I want to help by playing. I respect everyone here. I have many friends here and get on with the team 100 per cent.

"I respect the manager a lot - but I cannot be happy if I don't play."

Elano has started eight of the club's 12 league matches this season.

City have backed Hughes after speculation that he was set for the sack, but fresh reports on Tuesday indicate that the owners may be set to offer former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, now installed at Internazionale in Italy, £15 million a year to take over.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 19

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  1. not printable..only ever posts misinformed drivel, then doesn't read the replies. No-one has called you a name ...Yet!
    The best "opinion" you can have is, unrelated to the subject matter - Elano, mention that City ought to get rid of SWP. Get educated (so that you can at least put a whole fukin sentence together) and then post something that adds to the debate instead of subtracting from the sum of human knowledge...you MUPPET.

    From Andy, on Tue 11 Nov 1:31PM

  2. HUGHESY OUT...NUFF SAID..EX RED SCUM,,,WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU
    GET THE MESSAGE,,OUT OUT OUT

    From big10, on Tue 11 Nov 12:37PM

  3. The blunt truth is that Elano has been diabolical since last christmas, doesn't work hard enough and has a player in his only position (central attacking midfielder) who is just as talented, works harder and provides more of a goal threat - Stephen Ireland.

    These 2 simply cannot play in the same team so Elano has to either prove he is better than Ireland, accept being on the bench or go elsewhere in Jan, which I think he will.

    Shame as he's a talented player, and Robinho will no doubt be upset but that's football - no room for sentiment.

    From Paul F, on Tue 11 Nov 12:30PM

  4. open your eyes people! A dream team goes with a dream manager! is he? you decide!

    From Affi, on Tue 11 Nov 12:07PM

  5. Elano is class, one injury in midfield and he'll be back

    "City will be in the top 5 this season.
    Next season will be even better."

    Thats almost a classic cliche...

    "Well there's always next year"

    my Man @#$%, Newcastle and Spurs fans mates say this every year. For as long as I can remember. Hahaha. And they all said it last year. Spurs hahaha

    From Jan T, on Tue 11 Nov 11:40AM

  6. I would just like to say good luck to Manchester city they are going to become a force in the premiership but sadly not under Mark Hughes, he in my opinion hasn't got the skill's to manage the high profile players nor a club that has now got the funds to compete with the current top 4. I am a lover of british managers but Mark Hughes looks out of his depth and it's beginning to show on the field. From a Liverpool fan who is currently enjoying the ride at the top of the table.

    From wardster31@..., on Tue 11 Nov 11:37AM

  7. Hughes suks big time. Until City gets a proper manager they will continue loosing. Do they realise they are one loss away from relegation zone?

    From Half A Brain, on Tue 11 Nov 11:28AM

  8. not printable!! your pathetic unresearched comments are just that, unprintable, your not a blue, so dont comment , end of story

    From stanny, on Tue 11 Nov 11:18AM

  9. test

    From Mark, on Tue 11 Nov 10:43AM

  10. we (Manchester United) will swap him for owen hargreaves! lol...

    From lee, on Tue 11 Nov 10:39AM

  11. Always good for a giggle the blues.Any truth in the rumour that King Kev is on his way back??

    From doctorfeelgoodcanvey, on Tue 11 Nov 10:31AM

  12. After reading this and watching the interview on sky the only thought is, why speek like this, now. If your agent tells you to, so you can move in January, to a club that is already being lined up!!!!!!!!!! Mark Hughes is not the sort of man to be held to ransom by any player. Watch this space.

    From plewis696@..., on Tue 11 Nov 10:30AM

  13. Like most new players, takes time to settle and know others involvement of the game.
    City will be in the top 5 this season.
    Next season will be even better.

    From ken.treherne1@..., on Tue 11 Nov 10:24AM

  14. Sensationalist to say the least. He's started eight out of twelve, so he's hardly being snubbed, and he isn't exactly slamming Hughes here is he. Why couldn't you have just called the article; Elano wants to play more, or; Elano's sadness at lack of selection. This is tabloid reporting my old matey. You can do better.

    From Phil, on Tue 11 Nov 10:10AM

  15. you cant play 4 players in the same position your team is top heavy. Flog some and make a profit thats all - it biz and please why call me names? It is purely a point of view.

    From not printable, on Tue 11 Nov 10:09AM

  16. not printable is obviously not a blue!

    We've waited years to get Shaunie back and he's showing why!

    Elano should of spoken to Sparky in private not in public (he has started a fair few games and like the report says - Ireland, SWP & Robinho are all playing very well!

    From daniellatarrant, on Tue 11 Nov 10:07AM

  17. Ellano shuod be playing ..He is superstar, very advanced player and adition to Premier league.Richard Dunne will be sold and 6 or 7 first team players wont be playing next year.Im not sure that Huges will be fammiliar to manage a team of superstar and his days are numbered untill summer no matter what he does this year.

    From wayup108, on Tue 11 Nov 10:00AM

  18. what? stop talking such obvious retarded rubbish notprintable, why on earth would we sell SWP? one of the star performers of the season so far, and remarkably good business for city - we got a hefty profit and a better player than when he left for chelski.

    From jp_bedell, on Tue 11 Nov 9:57AM

  19. Sell him and SWP they will be happy and the club can get to grips on reality and not star gazing

    From not printable, on Tue 11 Nov 9:08AM
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