Manchester City chief Garry Cook admits they explored their managerial options last summer.

As the fall-out from the sacking of Mark Hughes continued yesterday, beleaguered City chief executive Cook revealed that the club had begun to look for alternatives to Hughes as long ago as last summer.

Cook said: "It's important for the fans to appreciate the ambitions of this club and its owners.

"Before the season started we looked at the options open to us if we were in a position when we needed to look for a new manager before Christmas.

"Even at that point we looked at managers who could be available in a World Cup year and those who might definitely be available.

"We had no intention of replacing Mark Hughes but surely as a business we are entitle to examine all the options."