Mark Hughes Confirmed as the manager of Fulham
Just over a year ago, life was beautiful for Mark Hughes; he had the world at his feet. As the manager of Manchester City he was given an open cheque book to try and buy all the players he wanted with the club owners only demanding one thing in return, the silverware. He failed to deliver that and was shown the door. The dismissal was a little brutal and undeserved but that is how life at City is and unfortunately Hughes had to learn the lesson the hard way.
Hughes has been jobless in the football market ever since his dismissal in last December and just last night it was confirmed by a manager-less Fulham that they have appointed the former Manchester United striker as the replacement for Roy Hodgson.
Hughes has agreed to a 2 year contract with the London club and will be at the club until the end of 2013 season.
Fulham had been in search of a new manager as Roy Hodgson, after guiding them to the brink of continental glory in Europa League last season, moved on for greener pastures at Liverpool.
Fulham had been heavily linked with a move for Martin Jol, who is currently manager of Ajax but the former Spurs boss chose to stay in Holland rather than making a return to the Premier League.
Fulham wasted no time in announcing Hughes as the successor to Hodgson as after failing in their efforts to lure Jol to Craven Cottage they wanted a replacement in place sooner rather than later.
Hughes will start his reign as the new manager of Fulham on August the 7th when Fulham take on Werder Bremen of Germany in a pre season friendly.
Hughes has big shoes to fill in as Fulham will be looking to build on the success that Roy guided them to last season. Hughes also acknowledges this fact and is keen to work together with the management and the team.
Talking ti the club website Hughes said “"I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition. I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction. “
Hughes also said that he is aware of the dizzy heights that the fans experienced last season reaching the final of the Europa League and said that he will try and work hard to go one better this time around.
Hughes said that he was looking forward to working with his squad and will make sure that his on pitch preparations are complete in no time so that his side can launch their assault on the Premier League and in the continent.
Hughes will be presented to the media for his first press meet as that manager of Fulham on Thursday.
Hughes, who was a highly decorated player in his career as a Manchester United player began his managerial career as the manager of Welsh national side in 1999. He received acclaim for his efforts with the side but could not guide them to the heights that the nation craved.
He resigned from the post in 2004 and took over the position of the manager at Blackburn Rovers.
His next stop was at Manchester City where he enjoyed an 18 month stay but his tenure came to an abrupt end as he failed to meet the sky high expectations of the fans and owners.
At Fulham his job will not be a walk in the park as the expectations will be high at this club too, may be not as high as that of City’s but after reaching the final of the Europa Cup last season, Mohamed Al Fayed and the fans will not be settling for anything short of that.
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