CITY OVER THE BLUE MOON TO HAVE APPOINTED HUGHES
Manchester City fans celebrated the news that Mark Hughes – their No1 choice, according to Kevin Parker, the general secretary of the official Manchester City supporters club – is to be the new manager at Eastlands. They were doubly pleased as the former Blackburn manager’s appointment allows them to cock a snook at rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
Parker, 47, expressed his delight that Old Trafford legend Hughes opted for the blue side of Manchester – a move that effectively precludes him from taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson when he finally steps down at United.
He also believes that Hughes, who also managed Wales for five years, is more likely to utilise the blooming academy rather than spend millions of pounds on foreign signings, as [other touted candidates] Zico or Luiz Felipe Scolari might have done.
“I’m delighted – it is great news that Hughes is the new manager,” Parker said of the 44-year-old who has penned a three-year contract believed to be worth £9m. “Even before it was an option [to approach Hughes], City fans thought that if Sven-Goran Eriksson was going to go, then there was no better choice.
“I think new chief executive [and former Nike executive] Garry Cook has been a big influence on [owner] Thaksin Shinawatra’s decision. I think in this division you need to have experience of managing in the Premier League, or in a top league in Europe.
“As good a manger as Scolari is, he has not had that experience. Zico has not had that experience and [former Chelsea manager] Avram Grant inherited a great team. I thought Hughes was the obvious choice.
“He is a great young manager with a good track record – at Blackburn he took them to Europe and to two FA Cup semi-finals. If he is willing to come and manage us, having played at United, then we have no problem with that. In fact I think Manchester United fans will be thoroughly disappointed that Hughes has chosen City. And if they are not happy, then that makes me even happier. We should take it as a positive and I don’t think we can lose.
Parker backs Hughes to get the best out of the team, and bring stability to the club. He also believes that the Welshman will see if captain Richard Dunne has the desire to remain at Eastlands, and not break the bank to sign Brazilian Ronaldinho from Barcelona – a player Thaksin reportedly wants. Further, if Hughes manages to tempt Blackburn’s David Bentley and – in particular – Roque Santa Cruz, City fans would have more reason to rejoice.
Parker continued: “Hughes will have a better understanding of, and find it better to relate to, the players. Hopefully those players who weren’t so sure about whether they would want to stay after the departure of Sven will think again now.
“He has to look Dunne in the eye and see if he wants to stay. We would like him to stay, but if he hasn’t got the fight then let’s get the money for him and bring in a replacement. It’s the same with all the squad – Hughes has to look them in the eye to see if they are up for it next season.
“He will also get the young kids – the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Vladimír Weiss – signed on the right contracts. But it would be great if he could bring in Bentley or Santa Cruz – an outstanding striker who has proved he can do it in the Premier League in only one season.
“We are not sure about Ronaldinho. Of the rumours that he is going to sign for us, or that he will be given £200,000 per week, I’m not sure which is the more unbelievable. I’m not sure he would fit in and I’m not sure he would be good for morale.
“If you look at the spine of the team you have youngsters in goalkeeper Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Michael Johnson – they should be with the club for the next decade. Hughes is more likely than a foreign manager to promote them and secure their services.
“We are all upbeat about this news. We thought that Chelsea might snatch him from under our noses, but after a miserable six weeks we are now all upbeat about this now. We are looking forward to Hughes coming in getting the players signed on and to our Uefa Cup campaign. We have a smile back on our face.”
Manchester City fans celebrated the news that Mark Hughes – their No1 choice, according to Kevin Parker, the general secretary of the official Manchester City supporters club – is to be the new manager at Eastlands. They were doubly pleased as the former Blackburn manager’s appointment allows them to cock a snook at rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
Parker, 47, expressed his delight that Old Trafford legend Hughes opted for the blue side of Manchester – a move that effectively precludes him from taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson when he finally steps down at United.
He also believes that Hughes, who also managed Wales for five years, is more likely to utilise the blooming academy rather than spend millions of pounds on foreign signings, as [other touted candidates] Zico or Luiz Felipe Scolari might have done.
“I’m delighted – it is great news that Hughes is the new manager,” Parker said of the 44-year-old who has penned a three-year contract believed to be worth £9m. “Even before it was an option [to approach Hughes], City fans thought that if Sven-Goran Eriksson was going to go, then there was no better choice.
“I think new chief executive [and former Nike executive] Garry Cook has been a big influence on [owner] Thaksin Shinawatra’s decision. I think in this division you need to have experience of managing in the Premier League, or in a top league in Europe.
“As good a manger as Scolari is, he has not had that experience. Zico has not had that experience and [former Chelsea manager] Avram Grant inherited a great team. I thought Hughes was the obvious choice.
“He is a great young manager with a good track record – at Blackburn he took them to Europe and to two FA Cup semi-finals. If he is willing to come and manage us, having played at United, then we have no problem with that. In fact I think Manchester United fans will be thoroughly disappointed that Hughes has chosen City. And if they are not happy, then that makes me even happier. We should take it as a positive and I don’t think we can lose.
Parker backs Hughes to get the best out of the team, and bring stability to the club. He also believes that the Welshman will see if captain Richard Dunne has the desire to remain at Eastlands, and not break the bank to sign Brazilian Ronaldinho from Barcelona – a player Thaksin reportedly wants. Further, if Hughes manages to tempt Blackburn’s David Bentley and – in particular – Roque Santa Cruz, City fans would have more reason to rejoice.
Parker continued: “Hughes will have a better understanding of, and find it better to relate to, the players. Hopefully those players who weren’t so sure about whether they would want to stay after the departure of Sven will think again now.
“He has to look Dunne in the eye and see if he wants to stay. We would like him to stay, but if he hasn’t got the fight then let’s get the money for him and bring in a replacement. It’s the same with all the squad – Hughes has to look them in the eye to see if they are up for it next season.
“He will also get the young kids – the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Vladimír Weiss – signed on the right contracts. But it would be great if he could bring in Bentley or Santa Cruz – an outstanding striker who has proved he can do it in the Premier League in only one season.
“We are not sure about Ronaldinho. Of the rumours that he is going to sign for us, or that he will be given £200,000 per week, I’m not sure which is the more unbelievable. I’m not sure he would fit in and I’m not sure he would be good for morale.
“If you look at the spine of the team you have youngsters in goalkeeper Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Michael Johnson – they should be with the club for the next decade. Hughes is more likely than a foreign manager to promote them and secure their services.
“We are all upbeat about this news. We thought that Chelsea might snatch him from under our noses, but after a miserable six weeks we are now all upbeat about this now. We are looking forward to Hughes coming in getting the players signed on and to our Uefa Cup campaign. We have a smile back on our face.”
Labels: Avram Grant, David Bentley, Kevin Parker, Manchester City, Mark Hughes, Premier League, Richard Dunne, Sir Alex Ferguson
