Manchester City's owners still believe 'very much' in manager Mark Hughes, according to chief operating officer Paul Aldridge.
Hughes' position as City boss has been called into question after a run of one win in nine games has seen the club slip into the relegation zone.
Following the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover in the early weeks of the season, expectations have risen sharply at the Premier League club.
But, while Aldridge accepts the club's position is not 'comfortable', he confirmed Hughes still retains the support of the board.
"Clearly no one is comfortable where we are, but I think the new owner is very pragmatic and understands things don't happen overnight and that it will take time for Mark to build the team, the squad and the ethos of the club how he wants it," Aldridge told the Daily Telegraph.
"They have been very vocal in saying they are prepared to give him that time. Garry [Cook, the executive chairman] and the owner are very pragmatic about it.
"They believe very much in Mark so they can say no more. All we can repeat is what the owners and what the chairman have said that they are backing Mark."
Hughes is eager to boost the club's prospects of climbing out of the bottom three when the transfer window reopens and is aiming to sign players who can make an immediate impact.
And, though City have been linked with a string of high-profile signings, Aldridge confirmed Hughes will have the final say on who joins the club in January.
He added: "Once Mark has made the decisions, we will try to accommodate him and get the players in.
"He agrees with our strategy that we have got to get the correct valuation for the market. The owner is constantly consulted on progress of the scouting and decision-making.
"Mark has been over and spoken to him - he plays a full part as any owner or chairman would do, but he understands that the manager has to ultimately make the call.
"You have to make sure you are comfortable with the other aspects of the player, the temperament, whether you think he will settle, whether you think he will go into your style of play. It's not about playing fantasy football.
"The owner has said that he wants to make Man City a very big club and, to do that, we need big players whether this window or the next window. It won't happen overnight so we may have to be patient."
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