Mark Hughes has emerged from a strategy summit full of confidence about Manchester City's future.

Along with other club executives, Hughes spent part of this week at a retreat putting together the plans and strategies that they all hope will make City at the least a top-six side and possibly one in the top four next season.

"I was really impressed by just how much progress has patently been made in all areas of the club since the summer takeover," declared Hughes. "It has been a huge year for everyone at the club at all levels and the changes that we have undertaken were brave ones.

"The new owners could very easily have just pottered around and remained how we were but in the end we would not have been able to sustain any success if - and it would have been a big if - we had been able to get any in the future.

"The way the club's set up now in terms of its structure and the people in key positions means that City can only get better and be driven forward at pace.

"I was very encouraged by what I heard at the get-together and the plans and structures that are in place for the club for the future that will ensure that when success comes - and it will do - it will be for a long time.

"As manager you have to have an understanding of where the business side of the club is going to because if you don't then your understanding of issues or problems that may occur in the future and how they impact will not be there. If I didn't understand other people's perspective then it would erode trust between the management team.

"I am part of the team that will drive this club forward and it is up to us to make sure that we are successful."

Hughes believes that reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, the way his signings in January have improved the team, and the continued success of Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta have all helped the supporters to warm to him more and the gelling is a mutual.

"I understand the United thing and some of the reticence but I have always said from day one that I am a professional football manager and my past is there and experiences at different clubs had shaped what I am trying to be," he added.

"Being a manager is what I do and my focus is entirely on making Manchester City successful in the future."