Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook has insisted that new boss Mark Hughes is in full control of any footballing matters at the Eastlands Stadium.

Following the decisions this week of Kevin Keegan and Alan Curbishley to quit Newcastle and West Ham United respectively this week after both clubs board’s got involved with transfer policy.

City fans might have thought with the takeover on transfer deadline day by the ADUG, which subsequently saw the new billionaire owner’s make several substantial offers for European stars like David Villa, Dimitar Berbatov and Ruud van Nistelrooy along with the £32.5million capture of Brazilian International Robinho from Real Madrid. That the new Arab owner’s might want to have a say in footballing matters at the Eastlands.

However, Cook has moved quickly to dispel any suggestion that when it comes to matters on the pitch, Hughes won’t call the shots.

Cook told the club's official website: “Mark talks about moving the club forward and we could not have a better vehicle for doing that.

“We should not forget that the club has moved forward considerably over the last two years, and he is excited to be in this position, every manager would like to be in that position.

“He has made it quite clear to everybody outside the club that he runs the football side of the business, and he is anticipating nothing changing from that.

“There is no reason for that to change, he is far more knowledgeable about football than all of us!”

The Blues have been widely reported as willing to make huge offers for the world’s top players since Monday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres amongst them. Cook is adamant however, that while this is an exciting time for City, everyone at the club still has their feet on the ground.

Cook added: “Manchester City is in the news for all the right reasons at the moment, and everybody is very excited at the club.

“People may talk about the dynamics changing, but staff at the club are still working very hard and Mark is back coaching the team as normal.

“We would like to see great players at the club, because that's what moves the club forward, but we have to be realistic on a day-to-day basis.

“Maybe we have taken our eye off the ball a little bit, don't forget that we have one of, if not the, best youth team in the country at Manchester City.

“Mark's coaching team are committed to that model, we talk about superstar talent but you should never take away from the fabric of the club, and that is developing the youth players.”