Roberto Mancini insists his first meeting with Manchester City had nothing to do with him replacing Mark Hughes as manager.

Mancini's first meeting with the City hierarchy took place in London a fortnight ago, after the tame draw with Hull which is said was the trigger for Hughes' departure.

At best, it looks suspicious, at worst, part of the conspiracy Garry Cook is adamant did not exist.

Yet, Mancini insists the discussions between an out-of-work manager and the owner and chairman of the world's richest club were just general.

"They wanted to speak with me about Inter Milan and other teams," said Mancini, who did well to remain aloof from a bear-pit atmosphere to greet his arrival.

"In Italy it would be a normal situation. Khaldoon is a man of sport."

The telephone call to ask Mancini to take over as manager came on Thursday. The deal concluded within 24 hours.

"I was Inter Milan manager for four years. I won three league titles. At the end of the last season, I was sacked.

"Sometimes these things happen. I feel sorry for Mark Hughes. But this is our job, the job of a manager."