In ten years time, when the first words of most children in Asia are ‘Manchester City’, and all of David Beckham’s children are begging for a game at Eastlands, we’ll have one man to thank. It’s not that barmy former Thai Prime Minister with the frozen assets, but City executive chairman Garry Cook. Keep reading for ten fascinating facts about the man and his mental ambitious plans for the future of his club and the entire league…
1. Shinawatra poached him from an executive position at Nike, where he has gained marketing expertise for the past 22 years.
2. His time in the USA with Nike has clearly affected his sensibilities about sport. He believes there should be a break-away division of 10-14 clubs with no promotion or relegation. “The fans would find a way to get passionate about it,” he says.
3. He sees City becoming a global empire that will be bigger than Manchester Utd. By tapping into the Chinese and Indian markets, which represent 30 per cent of the world’s population, he believes the Blues can win the Champions League in “ten years or more”.
4. He is obsessed with the nonsense term ‘box office signing’, and is the man responsible
Thaksin Shinawatra (the gentleman who broke the terms of his bail by attending the Olympics, and who is seeking in asylum in Britain in order to escape the arrest warrant issued by the Thailand Supreme Court) is often referred to as ‘Dr Thaksin Shinawatra’. This is because he received a doctorate from the Sam Houston State University in Texas in 1978. The subject of said doctorate and also his masters degree? Criminal Justice.
Citeh’s Thai revolution takes another bizarre twist
UPDATE: Shinawatra has denied the story. You win this time, common sense.
Unassisted by useful journalistic tools like evidence and quotations, The Daily Express today are claiming that Thai nutbag Thaksin Shinawatra has put the entire Manchester City team up for sale:
Thai billionaire Shinawatra, who is already set to sack manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, is apparently so disgusted with the team’s performances in the second half of the season that he wants a massive clear-out, including young stars such as Micah Richards, Michael Johnson and Joe Hart.
If this is true, what the Gary Mabbutt is he up to? It’s no secret
Former Thai Premier enters the world of loathed moneymen
The big news today is that Sven-Goran Eriksson is being sent back to the land that gave us flat-packed furniture, following a crisis meeting with Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra. The announcement has proven to be very unpopular with players and fans alike, and has put the former Thai Prime Minister among petrol prices, terrorism and Danielle Lloyd in the popularity stakes.
But is the meddling Eastern billionaire the worst owner in the Premier League? Or perhaps those clowns at Anfield get your vote? Let us know below, please.
City looking to replace German midfielder in transfer window
When a player reaches the end of his playing career, the club that owns him usually opts for a gentle approach. Some players will be granted a testimonial. Others will be trotted out for occasional five-minute cameos to allow them
