Thaksin committed to City vision

Pa
Tuesday 12 August 2008 11:14 BST
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Thaksin Shinawatra remains committed to his "10-year vision" for Manchester City, according to executive chairman Garry Cook.

The club's owner is seeking refuge in Britain after he and his wife skipped a court hearing in Bangkok.

However, Cook has denied that the shock development would destabilise the club.

"City's future is not in jeopardy," Cook told the Manchester Evening News.

"In the short term, it is business as usual. We don't rely on Dr Thaksin's money.

"When Mark Hughes makes a decision we go through the normal process, which can include banks, finance, or a whole bunch of different things just like any other club."

Cook claims that the former Thai Prime Minister - who denies all charges against him - might look in the long term to get extra investment in through 'partnership' deals.

"He is willing to look at whatever it takes to make City a great football club," said Cook.

"This is a guy who loves City."

Cook spent time with Thaksin in Beijing before he returned to England.

"I gave him an update on the club and we talked about new player acquisitions," said Cook.

"We also talked over dinner about why he had bought the club and his intentions.

"It was really clear he wants to be at this football club for the next 10 years.

"He wants to build a dynasty and he was disappointed that people think he wanted to get in and back out."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in