Mancini urges Robinho to step up

Published Dec. 22, 2009 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New manager Roberto Mancini has hailed Brazil forward Robinho and urged him to "write the history" of Manchester City.

The British record £32.5million striker will be one of the first players Mancini will want to settle following the upheaval of the last few days.

While Robinho is hardly likely to shed any tears at Mark Hughes' departure given his fractious relationship with the Welshman, with more talk about a potential move to Barcelona - which club president Joan Laporta has tried to play down - the 25-year-old could be forgiven for feeling a bit uneasy.

But after appearing somewhat less committed to the grand City plan that he was when he became the first big name signing of the Abu Dhabi era, Mancini is eager to use his own time at Sampdoria to show what Robinho could achieve.

"Robinho is a fantastic player," said Mancini.

"But for a big player like him, it is important to make the history of a club.

"I played at Sampdoria for 15 years. I wrote the history. It is important. Robinho can do that here."

Given the speed with which Mark Hughes was controversially ousted, 45-year-old Mancini will spend the preparation for a Boxing Day visit by Stoke analysing the talent at his disposal before outlining the areas that need strengthening.

However, rather than declare that City's transfer policy is going to be his domain, Mancini has already revealed it will be a team effort.

"In Italy, it is not just the manager who decides on players, it is also director of football," he said.

"I will speak with Garry (Cook, chief executive) and Brian (Kidd, assistant manager). Together we will decide who we need. It is no problem. The most important thing is for City to win, now and in the future."

Mancini certainly needs to make an impact pretty quickly given Hughes was sacked after just 18 months at the helm.

What started out as a hunt for sixth spot turned into a demand to reach 70 points following a £120million summer investment.

Had City achieved Christmas victories against Stoke and Wolves, the Blues would be exactly on track at the halfway point of the campaign.

Yet such is the ruthlessness with which the Blues' Abu Dhabi-based owners are pursuing their goals Hughes has swiftly been removed, with former Inter Milan boss Mancini taking over.

And Mancini has revealed his targets will be exactly the same as the ones Hughes was so strictly judged by.

"At this moment my target is the top four," he said. "Next season we want to win the Premier League."