City turn down Bernstein offer

Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein has admitted he made a sensational offer to return to the club to help try to save their season.

The offer, which was rejected out of hand by the City board, came as the club face up to one of their biggest games in recent memory at Leicester on Saturday when defeat, coupled with a Leeds win against Portsmouth, would pitch the Blues into the bottom three.

Bernstein was a popular figure at City but quit last March amid reports of on-going behind-the-scenes cash battles with manager Kevin Keegan.

The trigger for the row was Bernstein's refusal to pay Leeds £7million for striker Robbie Fowler even though Keegan was pressing for the deal to go through.

Eventually, a compromise was reached and City splashed out £6million for the former England striker, who has since scored 12 goals in 54 appearances for the Eastlands outfit.

Despite stepping down, Bernstein has remained an interested observer in Blues affairs and was at White Hart Lane on Easter Monday to watch the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Since then, City have been unable to reverse their fortunes, with financial disaster looming for a club already almost £60million in debt.

"In view of the extremely serious situation which the club finds itself in, I decided to see whether the club would be interested in my returning with immediate effect," Bernstein told the Manchester Evening News. "I believe I could have made a difference.

"An approach was made by an intermediary and it was turned down.

"I am disappointed but hope and pray that the club's results over the next few matches are enough to save us."

Privately, the City board, led by current chairman John Wardle, are furious with the timing of Bernstein's revelation.

There was never any likelihood of any return while Keegan remains manager and the board have questioned why he felt it necessary to go public with City just four games away from a possible return to the First Division.

"Everybody at the club is completely focusses on climbing up the Premiership table," said a City spokesman.

"At this time of the season, we do not welcome anything that could have a detrimental effect on our situation."

Keegan and his squad were again hard at work on the City training ground today, 24 hours after senior players persuaded their team-mates to give up a day off to ensure they were completely prepared for the trip to Leicester.

News that over 1,000 first-team shirts have been sold in just 48 hours since they went on sale over the weekend, is a signal that the fans have not yet given up on their team despite the abuse directed at them in the wake of Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Southampton.

The recriminations have continued since and Keegan must ensure the intense pressure which has built around the club does not affect his players for the remainder of what has been a tortuous campaign.