Former Manchester City CEO Garry Cook explains why Kaka didn’t join the club

Former Manchester City CEO Garry Cook explains why Kaka didn’t join the club
Former Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has explained why Brazilian superstar Kaka did not join the club in 2009.After City were taken over bySheikh Mansour in 2008, the club set their sights on a number of high-profile signings.4

Manchester City tried to sign Kaka from AC Milan

Their first marquee signing saw Robinho join from Real Madrid in a 32.5million British record transfer deal (at the time).The Brazilian scored 12 goals in his first 19 games, but Citys new owners wanted more star names to come through the door in the 2009 January transfer window.AC Milans Kaka, who won the 2007 Ballon dOr, was their number one target.Cook told Sky Sports: “We sat down with AC Milan and we signed a document that sold the player to Manchester City, so we’d bought him.4

Robinho was Manchester City’s first marquee signing

“We sat down with him and his father and we discussed the terms, but it didn’t appear that he was aligned with where he wanted to go.“The whole story got played out in the media and Kaka was waving his AC Milan shirt out on his balcony and at that time you think we may have been used.“Publicly he’s said he wasn’t convinced and I think that’s a fair assessment.“I actually caught up with him at Robinho’s wedding in Sao Paolo and asked him why he didn’t come, and he said ‘I was at AC Milan and I had Manchester City, what would you do?’ and he’s right.”4

Garry Cook (right) with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (left) in 2010

Missing out on Kaka would not deter City, who spent big money on Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero in the forthcoming years.Those players helped the club end their 35-year trophy drought with a 1-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup final in 2011.Cook said: “That day changed the whole dynamics of what we were about.“Brian Kidd [City’s assistant manager] made one comment to me – ‘Garry, when you win the first one, that’s the catalyst that helps you win the rest.’ “I think that that FA Cup win is more symbolic than anything else that we’ve done in the last 10 years, only because of what it created and the way it changed the culture and the mentality of the club.”Cook engineered Sheikh Mansours takeover of City, which saw the Citizens become the richest club in the world.He added: “The deal was very quick, and actually if you look back at it now, it was somewhat professionally naive on both parties.“It was all a bit back of the napkin and a bit surreal really.4

Gary Cook brokered City’s takeover deal

“It was a one page document that said ‘We’re going to buy a football club and can you make sure we get a marquee player at the end of the window’.“The biggest challenge was getting people to come to Manchester City. It was very, very difficult to get people to sign for the club at the time.“During that week, we created a list of marquee players around the world and we tried to identify anyone we could bring to the football club because, if you don’t, the football club doesn’t get taken over.”

---

Glenn Hoddle latest: Tottenham and Chelsea favourite recovering at home after suffering heart attack The 61-year-old was taken to hospital in October and his family have since thanked hospital
Glenn Hoddle latest: Tottenham and Chelsea favourite

---

How England's World Cup 2022 squad could look. Declan Rice: Handed his first England appearance against the Czech the young striker may provide the perfect contrast to Harry Kane in Qatar.
How England's World Cup 2022 squad could look

---

All Blacks assistant Ian Foster confident injured star Ben Smith will attend camp Stuff.co.nz. All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster says Ben Smith will still play a crucial role in the squad's preparations for the World Cup as he recovers from his serious
Troy Deeney responds to West Brom transfer links: 'If

---

A football fan is to stand trial accused of punching three police horses outside Celtic Park before the Celtic vs Airdrie game

---

Below, each of the 26 seasons has been charted with the story of how the titles were won and the players who starred. From 2011/12's incredible finale, to Arsenal's "Invincibles", as well as Manchester United's record 13 triumphs, find out more about the rich history of the Premier League. Season Reviews. History 2018/19 Season Review
My Football Facts & Stats | All-Time Premier League Statistics

---

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez has assisted more goals (four) than any other player in the Champions League this season, If Hoffenheim fail to beat Manchester City, they will become the first to
Phil Foden starts for Manchester City against Leicester

---

Barcelona vs Liverpool team news: Injury updates as Barca aim to wrap up historic treble. Jurgen Klopp's side are unbeaten in 19 games and can end Barca's hopes of securing a famous treble.
Barcelona vs Liverpool team news: Injury updates as Barca aim

---

Chelsea are in talks to hand N'Golo Kante a new long-term contract that will make him one of the highest paid players in the Premier League. The 27-year-old France midfielder, who was
N'Golo Kante: Chelsea begin £200,000 contract talks with

---

Pickford Backed. Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster says Jordan Pickford deserves to retain his spot as England's number one. The Everton stopper has came under pressure in recent weeks after several

---

West Ham had more fans arrested than any other Premier League club in the 2017/18 season, according to data released by the Home Office. 46 of the total 374 top-flight fans arrested for football
Football-related arrests first rise in three years - BBC News

---

Boca Juniors v River Plate rivalry explained: Copa Libertadores final was ruined by violence but fierce history from dockland days shines light on why tensions boiled over outside El Monumental

---

Everton vs Arsenal: Should Toffees' goal have been disallowed due to Lucas Digne's 'foul throw' in build-up? Gunners fans were claiming their opponents took the lead illegally due to Digne
Tottenham 4 Everton 0: Kane becomes Spurs´ record Premier

---