Is Mark Hughes Managerial CV Good Enough?

Vital Manchester City member, Feedthegoat wanted to ask the following question.

Is Mark Hughes Managerial CV Good Enough?

Lets look at the manager appointed prior to the takeover by good old Thaksin. (Is this why he's gone into hiding - I wonder?)

Wales (1999-2004)

Mark Hughes was appointed Wales national coach in 1999. Initially appointed on a temporary basis alongside Neville Southall (suppose we could have be with Nev) to replace Bobby Gould. Before he knew it Hughes had soon done enough to earn himself a long-term contract, with Southall leaving the set-up shortly afterwards. When MH took charge of team affairs his countrymen were in the midst of a terrible run, but in the FIVE years with Hughes in charge Wales came CLOSE to qualifying for Euro 2004

Blackburn Rovers (2004-2008)

Hughes quit the Welsh national side in September 2004 to take charge of Blackburn Rovers, the last club he had played for. His key aim was to keep a struggling Blackburn side clear of relegation, which he succeeded in doing, whilst at the same time taking the club to an FA Cup semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.

In his second season, Blackburn surprised even the most optimistic supporters by finishing inside the top six of the Premiership, which meant qualification for the UEFA Cup. During their league campaign they teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United (twice) and Arsenal along the way. After just missing out on the League Cup final his team sealed their spot in Europe by defeating champions Chelsea 1-0 at home.

Hughes then set about creating a formidable side at Ewood Park. He entered the transfer market, bringing in players such as Benni McCarthy (£2 million), David Bentley (£500,000), Ryan Nelsen (free), Stephen Warnock (£1.5 million), Roque Santa Cruz (£3.5 million), and Christopher Samba (£400,000). Rovers finished 10th in the Premier League, season 2006-07, and in the same season reached the UEFA Cup round of 32, where they were knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 on aggregate.

In the same season Rovers faced Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, their third consecutive semi-final since Hughes took charge. The match ended in a defeat 2-1.

He won the October 2007 award for the English Premier League 'Manager of the Month', and eventually led Blackburn to a league finish of 7th in 2007-08, Hughes' final season in charge at Ewood Park.

Manchester City (2008-?)

On 2 June 2008, Manchester City sacked manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. Hughes

as reported to be the first choice of then City owner Thaksin Shinawatra and before anyone could draw breath Sparky joined two days later on a three-year contract.

On 1 September 2008 Man City were taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Investment Group (ADUG), who immediately released large amounts of transfer funds. This in turn allowed City to break the British transfer record on the final hour of final day of last summers transfer window and bingo, the revolution began with the surprise signing of Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.4m.

Hughes was very active in the January 2009 transfer window, signing Wayne Bridge from Chelsea, Craig Bellamy from West Ham United and Shay Given from Newcastle United as well as pursuing a number of other targets including a potential world record bid of £100 million for Kaká of Milan, but we all know what happened there.

Apart from nearly qualifying with Wales and beating Man Ure twice with Blackburn he's actually achieved nothing other than spend a vast amount of money on ex-Blackburn players!

I think we should stick with Mark for now, plus it's obvious the owners want to be seen to be doing the right thing and give him time, but he needs to deliver results and honours in an effort to attract some of the higher class acts. The clock continues to tick.

I just hope we can get Chris Samba and Keith Andrews for an over inflated price! Rumour has the City gaffer has rummaged around and found their numbers from his filofax. We wait with baited breath.

Writer: Feedthegoat  

Date:Monday June 22 2009

Time: 9:22PM

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