Man City chief voices top-six aim

Al Mubarak took over as chairman of Manchester City in September

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has set manager Mark Hughes the target of finishing in the top six of the Premier League next season.

City's oil-rich owners have vast spending power but Al Mubarak says his immediate ambition is steady progress.

Al Mubarak told City's website: "I think people see me as a reasonable and realistic man.

"Given what we have done this year and the ambitions we have this summer, a top-six finish should be achievable."

There has been almost constant speculation about Hughes' future since the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover in September 2008.

City are set for a mid-table finish this campaign after an inconsistent season but Hughes has been reassured that his job is not in danger.

606: DEBATE The target has been set. It has been made public. Hughes knows it, the players know it and now we know it MCFC1971

He will also have more funds available to spend in the transfer market but Al Mubarak is adamant the club's long-term plans mean they will be looking to improve the current squad, rather than building a new one.

"There will be money for new players. We need more depth and plans are already advanced," Al Mubarak explained.

"I have been talking to [City's chief executive] Garry Cook and Mark for weeks now. We are pretty clear on what we want, and I am clear on what Mark has identified as the areas that need to be supported, and we will step up.

"We all know we are not going to splash money around, because that model, that formula, doesn't work.

"You're not going to buy 22 new players and then the next year you win the Premier League.

"It needs to be done sustainably, with quality management, quality infra-structure and a quality manager. That's what we are doing. The players will come, and the results will come."