Source: Telegraph
Mark Hughes up for the challenge after being confirmed as Fulham's new manager
Although he stands at a relatively modest 5ft 10in, throughout Hughes's career he has made a habit of filling big shoes. [LNB]As a 20 year-old at Manchester United, he took Norman Whiteside's place in the United front line. A quarter of a century later, he replaced the formidable Sven-Goran Eriksson at Eastlands. Now, in taking the reins at Craven Cottage, he is following one of the most successful acts in Fulham's history. [LNB] Related ArticlesHughes says 'yes' to FulhamDes Lynam: why I worry about HodgsonSmalling ready for big timeEriksson waits for FulhamFulham yet to contact ErikssonSunderland close in on David JamesSay what you like about Hughes, but he could never be accused of shirking a challenge. [LNB]Last night Hughes was confirmed as Fulham's replacement for Hodgson and he will be presented at a press conference next Tuesday. [LNB]The 46-year-old Welshman has signed a two-year deal, ending owner Mohamed Fayed and chief executive Alistair Mackintosh's month-long search for a man capable of emulating Hodgson's achievement of a top-seven Premier League finish and a European final. [LNB]Fulham were disappointed at failing to land their preferred option after Martin Jol was unable to break free of his shackles at Ajax. But tempting Hughes to Craven Cottage, rejecting names such as Eriksson and Cardiff manager Dave Jones, will hearten Fulham fans who feared that in hiring their second choice, they would be forced to settle for second best. [LNB]In the circumstances, Hughes's signing is a considerable coup. [LNB]'I know that he understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we want achieve,' said Fayed last night. '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.' [LNB]For his part, Hughes has evidently judged that this is the right moment to make his re-entry, seven months after falling victim to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan's bloodless coup. Since finding himself unemployed, he will not have been short on offers Hull City and Turkey were among the potential suitors but clearly needed a little time away from the game. [LNB]'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,' Hughes said. 'I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.' [LNB]There were also words of encouragement last night from Hodgson. 'I am very pleased for Mark and the club. He has proved his worth already many times.' [LNB]A number of transfers had been put on hold by the limbo at Fulham. They have reached an agreement with Aston Villa over a £2 million move for midfielder Steve Sidwell, while Arsenal want to sign goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Paul Konchesky may well follow Hodgson to Liverpool, providing Hughes can secure a replacement before the start of the season likely to be Aston Villa's Nicky Shorey. [LNB]A phone call to his old employers at Eastlands may be Hughes's first move. There are deals to be had among City's disaffected, and Hughes is expected to be handed a transfer budget of around £15 million. Roque Santa Cruz could make Fulham the third club at which he has worked under Hughes, along with Stephen Ireland, neglected by the current regime. Craig Bellamy would be the most ambitious move of all, as Fulham would have to stave off interest from Tottenham. [LNB]In any case, those Fulham supporters expecting continuity with the Hodgson era underestimate Hughes's determination to assert his identity on his teams. He did it at Blackburn, where he dismantled a struggling team and bought at very little expense an entirely new one. David Bentley, Ryan Nelsen and Stephen Warnock were all testament to Hughes's instinct and eye for a bargain. [LNB]Hughes's reserved style constitutes a marked break from the loquacious Hodgson. As a man and as a manager, Hughes has preferred to keep his counsel, delegating heavily to the backroom staff that is expected to follow him through the door. Deputy and long-time confidant Mark Bowen, goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock and first-team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki, all of whom worked with him at Manchester City, will all be at Fulham. Ray Lewington, Hodgson's lieutenant who has been in temporary charge of the team, has been assured of a place at the club and is likely to remain. [LNB]'Mark's quiet, but he can be tough as well. With the team he has around him, he makes it work,' says Ian Rush, an international team-mate for more than a decade. 'He makes sure he knows the players he's dealing with inside out. And he's done well everywhere he's been.' [LNB]Viv Anderson played with Hughes at Old Trafford for three years, and believes it is Hughes's attention to detail that is his strongest attribute. 'He studies videos, he uses a lot of technology and statistics, and he takes things on board very quickly. He's a really top coach,' he said. [LNB]Mark Hughes factfile: [LNB]United hero[LNB]Hughes joined Manchester United in 1980 at the age of 16, but had to wait three years to make his debut. He quickly established himself, though, winning Young Player of the Year in 1985. [LNB]Spain pain[LNB]Barcelona manager Terry Venables signed Hughes for a British record £2.3 million, hoping to team him up with Gary Lineker. Instead, Hughes struggled, failing to nail down a place in the side, and was lent out to Bayern Munich after a season. [LNB]Red again[LNB]Hughes returned to Old Trafford just as Alex Ferguson was crafting his first great dynasty and won seven trophies in as many years. [LNB]Perhaps his most memorable contribution was a last-minute scissor kick to win the 1994 FA Cup semi-final against Oldham. He left in 1995, but continued playing for another seven years at Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn. [LNB]Welsh terrier [LNB]It took less than 20 minutes for Hughes to score for Wales, but in almost 20 years as player and manager, he never went to a major international tournament. Euro 2004 play-off defeat to Russia was the closest he got. [LNB]Destination Ewood [LNB]Hughes walked out on Wales to join Blackburn in 2004 and steered them clear of relegation before moulding them into a top six side and taking them into Europe. [LNB]Getting the blues [LNB]At Manchester City, Hughes was given one of the fattest chequebooks in Premier League history. Robinho, Barry and Adebayor were among the talent brought into Eastlands, but with a top four place in the balance, he was sacked by the club's Abu Dhabi owners. [LNB]
