Former Argentina manager linked with Manchester City

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes won’t be welcoming news that senior management at the club are reported to have approached former Argentina manager Alfio Basile.

“I’ve had offers from Manchester City, from England, and from the United Arab Emirates, all of which I’m looking at,” Basile told the TyC Sports television channel.

Hughes is currently under pressure with his well funded team lurking dangerously close to the Premier League drop zone. Despite being backed by the deep pockets of the Abu Dhabi United consortium, City is yet to make an impression on their domestic league.

Senior managers at the club are reportedly losing patience with Hughes, who for his part has repeatedly stated that the club will need to take full advantage of the January transfer window in order to become competitive in the Premier League.

News of contact between Basile and Manchester City will therefore be of concern to Hughes, who has told reporters that his club’s directors have promised him that he’ll still be in charge after the transfer window closes.

Basile meanwhile has made no bones of the fact that he is keen to return to top level coaching after being replaced by Maradona at the head of the Argentinean football team.

“I really want to keep on coaching,” Basile told the AFP. “I don’t know why some people say I’m past it. I think I will come back in June or July.”