Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists he's enjoyed this season, despite the constant speculation swirling around his job.

"I do enjoy it," said Hughes.

"The speculation about what is going to happen in the future is not very helpful because it makes my job more difficult.

"But day-to-day it tests you.

"The art of management is to try and recognise when things are going to happen. Here they just happen and you have to be ready with the right response for every eventuality.

"It makes you a better manager."

Only this week Hamburg boss Martin Jol was talking about City as a top six club.

Hughes feels the comments ignore reality.

"People say things like that because of the perceived resources," he said. "We have added to the squad but Manchester City have never been above eighth in the league.

"In a sense, we are trying to do something that has not been done before just by finishing seventh.

"The assumption is made that we should be there and challenging now. That is not going to be the case.

"The owners have said they don't anticipate us being ready to challenge for another couple of seasons."