Premier League - Hughes: No Robinho rift

Eurosport - Wed, 25 Mar 14:53:00 2009

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has rubbished rumours of a rift between star striker Robinho and him.

FOOTBALL Manchester City mark Hughes Robinho - 0

The Brazilian ace was fined by the club after leaving a training camp in Tenerife without permission earlier this year.

And more recently reports have claimed Robinho has been a disruptive influence in the dressing room, leading to divisions within the squad and a spat with Hughes.

But Hughes told BBC Radio: "The truth is it's a lot closer to being a lot calmer than people would imagine.

"There's a perception that there are issues between me and Robinho, and Robinho and his team-mates, and that everything is doom and gloom and the dressing room is fractured.

"We have all the predictable stories emanating from outside parties but it's calmer than people would imagine."

The persistent rumours have prompted speculation that Robinho - bought from Real Madrid for £32.5 million last summer - could be offloaded at the end of the season, but Hughes insisted the 25-year-old will stay.

"Robinho is in my plans long term. People who say otherwise are just being mischievous," he said.

"He is an outstanding player who wants to be part of what we are doing; but he is also a professional football player and he doesn't enjoy getting beaten."

Meanwhile, Hughes has admitted City are unlikely to make another bid for Robinho's compatriot Kaka.

City launched an audacious, ultimately failed, £100m bid for the Brazil star during the January transfer window but another attempt to lure him to Eastlands is not on the agenda.

"When an opportunity presents itself to bring in one of the top players in world football you have to move quickly to make it happen, as you never know if that opportunity will present itself again in the future," Hughes said.

"The likelihood is that it won't, but that situation has gone - at the time we wanted to make it happen, but we're not going to revisit it."

Mike Hytner / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. mark hughes ????? errm there looking at his contract­ now he hopes he gets an extension doubtfull think not­ !!!(WELCOME JOS`E MURHINIO WE GOT HIM SINGING THE­ BLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUES) ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,­ C.T.I.D.

    From mcpluker, on Wed 25 Mar 7:23PM

  2. It is an odd one this. Most professionals do want to­ win. The lad has brilliant days and terrible inert­ ones. Before he came to City he was subbed on a large­ number of occasions by Real. A pity, City have two­ great players, remember Elano when he was almost the­ only decent outfield player on Sven's team? and yet­ something is horribly wrong somewhere.

    From david.clayton3, on Wed 25 Mar 6:13PM

  3. Can there be any doubt that Robinho is not happy at­ City? Unless a player gives 100% he is an unsettling­ influence around the club and a bad example to younger­ players, and especially so if he is the highest paid­ player. City have to cut their losses and let him move­ on.

    From chriscunningham92, on Wed 25 Mar 5:52PM

  4. time and again he jumps out of tackles and makes no­ effort to even pressure the player as he goes into his­ half. its just a different mentality which means he­ should c*** off to spain, diving and walking pace will­ suit him

    From chris c, on Wed 25 Mar 5:50PM

  5. If the so called GREAT BRAZILIAN was a world class­ player

    1) Why did Madrid let him go
    2) He can turn it­ on for Brazil and not for City
    3) Why does he run home­ when the going gets tough

    Anyone that can answer these­ 3 points is a genius, my advice get rid of him and­ concentrate on home grown talent ie 11 Stevie Irelands­ would be top of the prem now,

    THANKYOU STEVIE IRELAND­ YOU GET MY VOTE FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

    From BOB, on Wed 25 Mar 4:52PM

  6. These two dudes will not be there for the next season!­ Believe it or not!

    From santos, on Wed 25 Mar 4:37PM

  7. I REALLY WANT TO BELIEVE THAT MARK HUGHES HAS NO­ CONTROL ON THE KID DESPITE THE FACT THAT HIS A­ STAR.ALSO DONT SEE HIM ACTING AS SUCH IF HE HAD ENTERED­ "GREAT CHELSAE".YEHHH!!!!

    From Spiff Emi., on Wed 25 Mar 4:20PM

  8. Just a show pony who only plays well against lesser­ teams, and can't hack it in english football where­ there is contact, get rid.

    From terri-ann, on Wed 25 Mar 4:04PM

  9. I don't think he's that good anyway

    From ndclayton, on Wed 25 Mar 3:56PM

  10. Mr Hughes you have lost the plot, you know you have no­ control over the situation, unfit!!!!!! bah!

    From Dennis, on Wed 25 Mar 3:54PM

  11. Get rid of him, and that is coming from a city fan.

    From phil_kasteel, on Wed 25 Mar 2:57PM
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