Mark Hughes' ouster at Manchester City raises the question who's calling the shots at the English club. It brought the spotlight on the role of Brian Marwood, an unofficial adviser to the club's owner, Abu Dhabi United.

Like chief executive Garry Cook, Marwood worked at Nike and was brought in by Cook last winter. Marwood's role was the be a "continental-style director of transfers," wherein conflicts with Hughes arose. Hughes was not keen on signing Kaka from Milan -- a deal that collapsed -- or fellow Brazilian Robinho from Real Madrid -- a deal that went through but has been a failure.

Marwood likely sought out Italian Roberto Mancini after he got word from Abu Dhabi that a replacement for Hughes was needed. Read the original story...