Fulham appoint Hughes

Welshman agrees two-year deal at Craven Cottage

Last updated: 30th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fulham appoint Hughes

Hughes: Back in management

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Fulham have appointed former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes as their new manager at Craven Cottage.

Hughes has agreed a two-year deal to succeed Roy Hodgson at the West London club.

Hodgson left Fulham earlier this summer to take charge at Liverpool and Fulham have been linked with a number of names as they searched for a replacement.

Former Tottenham boss Martin Jol was the favourite for the role after Fulham made an approach to Ajax for his services, but the Dutch side rejected their overtures.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Dave Jones were both mooted as contenders for the job, but Fulham have decided to go with Welshman Hughes.

Hughes has been out of work since being sacked as Manchester City boss in December 2009 and he is relishing the prospect of taking charge at Craven Cottage.

Aspirations

"I am happy to have joined Fulham following much speculation regarding the appointment of a new manager. I have discussed my aspirations with both the Chairman and Alistair Mackintosh and believe that we are aligned in our aims for what can realistically be achieved here," he told the club's official website.

"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.

"I hope the Fulham fans will enjoy some special times during this season's campaign and we will work hard to achieve that. I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible, and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August."

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed welcomed the appointment of the former Blackburn boss and believes he is the right man to lead the club forward.

"I would like to welcome Mark Hughes to Fulham. I know that he understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we want achieve," he added.

"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I am confident that with his Premier League and National Team successes, Mark will be a great guy for the job."

The 46-year-old will take charge of Fulham for the first time in pre-season friendly with Werder Bremen on 7th August.

Comments (46)

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Don Wright (Everton fan) says...

If i was a Fulham fan i would not be getting two excited and i will tell you for why 1, as a manager he has not actually won anything 2, does any one not remember at the start of the city money he was the one upsetting nearly every club by his i have got money i will have your best players attitude ie; lescott Everton, when it comes to strengthening the team and he does not have his millions who will do business with him not many i dont think enjoy the coca cola league lads

Posted 07:48 2nd August 2010

Lee The mackem (Sunderland fan) says...

Well done to Fulham for getting a great Manager like sparky. I hope Fulham do the double over Manchester City this season, not because of the money, but alot of there fans are becoming big headed, saying that they dont want players like Ireland, turning there nose up at players like Ibrahimivic when mentioned on phone in''s erlyer in the year. There players are sick, Joe Hart is wanting to go out on Loan again. Then you get fans and pundits "Man City fans deserve it", why? And dont say "oh, i can remember when we were playing The Duck and Goose inn, and we were over the moon with a nill nill draw point to stay up, on a wet Tuesday night in the 3rd division, and the kit man had to go in goal to save a pen because we had no players, and the ball had no air in it, and all the players had to walk to the ground" sob storys, because we have all been there, and had it happen to us, we have had teams kick off 15 mins after we did to see what our full time score was, then play out a draw so we went down. even Manchester United in the 80s were rubbish. So why do Pundits and fans say they "deserve it"? Please note, i am not aiming this comment at true City fans, that were there on them Tuesday night, just the ones that turned up about 10 mins after the sheaks did. I Have my season card ready for this season, just hope theres no wet Tuesday nights comming up........ Anyway, good luck Fulham. Sunderland to break into the top 16 this year.

Posted 02:59 2nd August 2010

Al Macleod (Manchester United fan) says...

That''s sure to mean a Bellamy lone for the season at Fulham then wait for the rest of the Wales squad!

Posted 05:12 1st August 2010

Robin Savage (Fulham fan) says...

welcome to the cottage sparky so glad we got you and not none of the other names put up for the job.You are the one to take our club forward.But please don''t do what sanchez did and rip the team apart.We have a good team down here just need a couple of new players .Looking forward to this season under you

Posted 17:23 31st July 2010

Nick G (Sunderland fan) says...

When Fulham stuff Manchester City this season, Sparky will punch the air with a smile of satisfaction. He is the perfect choice for Fulham, because he was a winner as a player and is a winner as a manager.

Posted 17:03 31st July 2010

Ray Cakey (Manchester City fan) says...

think he will do well as fulham have a limited budget like at blackburn. when given money managers like huges dont do too well. true when city wanted and want a player the price is inflated but to spend what we did for santa, kolo, lescott to name a few was a joke but our owners backed him. brian kidd is a good example when he went to blackburn and alan curbishley at charlton went to west ham had money to a degree and is signing on now. one to the city fans it wasnt gary cook who sacked huges it was our owners. so get off his back the bloke is a bit of a donkey but he has passion and is a fan just like us. on wards and up wards ctid.. love em... tic toc tic toc

Posted 13:09 31st July 2010

Ben Smith (Chelsea fan) says...

Brilliant appointment for Fulham, Mark Hughes is a brilliant manager i think he is the ideal candidate to bring Fulham forward, there is a lot of hard work ahead for him to follow in Hodgson''s shoes but i think he can do it. the way he was treated at man city was a disgrace to football, in the future i would like to see Mark Hughes as manager of Chelsea. When he comes to the bridge he will get a warm welcome but he wont get 3 points. Mark Hughes is a brilliant coach. BEST OF LUCK SPARKY

Posted 10:40 31st July 2010

Chris Ward (Liverpool fan) says...

Mark Hughes has got a hell of an act to follow on from but I think he''ll do well, the idiots at Man City dumped on a British footballing legend and I hope that they regret it every time they face his Fulham side.

Posted 00:16 31st July 2010

Charlie E says...

I think Mark Hughes is a great manager, as a Fulham fan I can see him doing very well at the club, I also hope that Craig Bellamy and maybe Roque Santa Cruz will follow him out the door, I also hope Ray Lewington stays. Hopefully back into Europe this season, good luck Mark!

Posted 23:14 30th July 2010

Will Slack says...

An excellent choice of manager for Fulham and exactly what the Premier needs, more British Managers. Its great to read all the appreciative commments regardless of team allegiance, thihnk we''ve all developed a soft spot for Fulham...! As a Sunderland supporter, it''s going to be a enthralling upcoming season watching two great Managers of the future, battling toe to toe for a Euro spot!

Posted 22:19 30th July 2010

Karl Noade says...

Overrated manager going to an average club, wont make Europe next year, could struggle for a top half finish. Someone has to be honest

Posted 21:57 30th July 2010

Adam Whatson (Fulham fan) says...

Very, very happy about this. When they were talking about bringing the likes of Eriksson and Dave Jones I was resigned to us being in the Championship come 2011. I think Sparky is at his best working with a smaller club like Fulham where he''s not going to get shafted at a moment''s notice like he was at Man City.

Posted 17:57 30th July 2010

Dan Parker (Everton fan) says...

His conduct, arrogance and lack of respect shown to Everton when taking Lescott was terrible so he deserved nothing less when he was sacked by City.

Posted 15:19 30th July 2010

Dan Parker (Everton fan) says...

His conduct, arrogance and lack of respect shown to Everton when taking Lescott was terrible so he deserved nothing less when he was sacked by City.

Posted 15:12 30th July 2010

Simon Fogarty (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Was sad to see him leave rovers always hoped he would come back after the sacking by city but god luck to the guy and great appointment by fulham. quality guy and good luck to him

Posted 13:49 30th July 2010

Jim Targar (Newcastle United fan) says...

My Mrs is a massive Blackburn Fan and has never got over loosing Sparky to Man City. Even though he left I think he''s the sort of manager everyone likes. It was shocking the way City treated him and this is his time to shine and let Man City see they were fools to let him go.

Posted 13:46 30th July 2010

Adam Cobbie says...

Being a Man Utd fan I wish Mark Hughes all the very best at Fulham. A fine young manager and it''s great to see him back in the Premiership where he belongs. Best wishes Sparky...

Posted 12:48 30th July 2010

Craig Moore (blackburn fan) says...

As a Blackburn fan trust me he will do an amazing job there just wished he would of styed with us as I had a bad feeling with the powers that be at City would mess with him they would be playing champions league football now if they didn''t get rid. Good luck Sparky

Posted 12:26 30th July 2010

Chris Robinson (Southampton fan) says...

My old Dad (now departed) was a Fulham fan so I''m very interested in their fortunes. Roy Hodgson did a marvellous job in transforming the side, but I feel that Mark Hughes will be just as good. It''s good to see him back in football after the shabby way he was treated at Manchester City, & I wish him all the very best as Fulhams new Manager.

Posted 12:10 30th July 2010

Gary Bloye (Fulham fan) says...

Always thought sparky was treated a bit harshly at Man City, but there loss is our gain............Hard act to follow Roy Hodgeson, but hopefully he will settle in quick, and produce some good results this season.

Posted 12:00 30th July 2010
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