Hughes: I won't waste golden chance

10:27pm Friday 5th September 2008

Mark Hughes has promised Manchester City's long-suffering fans he will not squander the opportunity to turn the club into European giants.

Abu Dhabi-based business tycoons the United Group for Development and Investment have already broken the British transfer record to sign Robinho and the chances are more big names will follow when the transfer window opens again in January.

And Hughes said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for everybody, myself included, and we are not going to let it slip."

"We will do everything in our power to make sure we take advantage of the position we find ourselves in and make everything bigger and better than it was before," he added.

A few City fans remain worried, claiming Robinho only left Real Madrid because his preferred move to Chelsea failed to materialise. They also fear any cash spent will be wasted, with the really big names refusing to leave their present clubs without the lure of Champions League football.

But Hughes has sought to reassure the sceptics. The former Wales star is adamant he is the right man for the job and has pledged to invest the money he is given to spend wisely.

"I would like to think I deserve a bit of backing," he said.

"If you look at my record in the Premier League, with limited resources it is as good as anybody. With resources I back myself to be successful.

"I think the owners recognise that.

"In the last couple of years I have been talked of in terms of some of the top jobs in the Premier League so it is not as if they are getting someone who doesn't know what they are doing."

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