Historians have unearthed evidence that Manchester City’s plot to replace Mark Hughes with Roberto Mancini was actually planned as far back as the Middle Ages. The heinous plotting by City Chief Executive Garry Cook was actually part of a centuries-old plan devised by his ancestors.

Documents recently discovered detail exactly how Hughes would be removed from his post after a bout of “heavye spendinge on players of association footballe, with nay timme for proofe of rysultes”. The document then went on to say that “the man from Galles shall be forthwith removed from his position and Roberto Mancini shall taketh his place”.

The plot was followed almost to the letter. Mark Hughes was removed from his post after a close-fought victory over Sunderland, which was foretold by Cook’s ancestors: “Defensife problymes shall be ryfe. An injure to Lescott and the sayle of Dunne shall combine with the inability of Touree to create mayhem. Hughes shall leave after victory over a side with funny accents.”

On hearing of the documents, Hughes was said to be “rather irked”, although admitted that he really should have seen it coming. Cook, however, said that it was all a “massive coincidence” and he had never even seen the documents. However, he disputed the final document, which claims that “the manne from Galles shall receiveth untold summes of moneye.”