Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has admitted possible candidates to replace Mark Hughes were discussed before the season had even started. City have been accused of carrying out a cover-up operation as regards when Roberto Mancini was first approached about the role, with it being suggested they had spoken to the Italian as early as December 2.
He has now said: "Before the season started we went about our business plan for the year meticulously.
"We did our scenario planning, mapping out the season, the results we were seeking, and in those plans 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 the 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 entitled to examine all the options?"
Cook is adamant the club has no apology to make and on the contrary, points to the fact former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was dispensed with in a familiar fashion under the previous regime of Thaksin Shinawatra.
"I seem to recall Sven was still our manager but he knew he was being replaced before the last game of the season.
"Weren't they identical circumstances to the way we went about executing our decision to appoint a new manager?"
