Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook is delighted with the work in preseason of new manager Mark Hughes.

Cook told City's website: "Mark has a task in hand that started not more than 60 days ago, one that we broke down into three phases. He had to assess the squad that he inherited, and then the second phase was to start pre-season training and see what everybody's capabilities were.

"He's looked at the squad's fitness and general abilities, and phase three was to start playing some games to see how the players reacted in a match situation. We're well into phase three now, and I'm very pleased to be here with Mark and the squad.

"We're taking the chance here in Germany to make an assessment of where we are, what do we need to do next and I'm looking for Mark's direction on that. My job is to support him in where he wants to go."

The last few weeks have seen the arrival of several new faces in both Hughes' coaching staff and the backroom team at the Carrington training ground, and Garry is pleased that everything has been put in place as we approach the start of the league season.

He continues, "He has not only brought a good number of new people in, but he's brought great quality with him, which is the ultimate goal. Mark surrounds himself with great people, he embodies all the time just where are trying to go as a football club. It's not about quantity, it's about quality."