Hughes: City struggle improved me

09 October 2010 08:48
Mark Hughes says he is a better manager for his experiences at Manchester City and has vowed to remain true to his own principles from now on[LNB] Hughes was sacked as City boss last year after failing to deliver the club's cash-rich owners the instant success their investment required.[LNB]After several months out of the game, the 46-year-old replaced Roy Hodgson at Fulham this summer.[LNB]He now says he felt relieved when his Eastlands spell was over after admitting he too often "toed the line" against his instincts.[LNB]"It's good to be at a club now where I am not being pulled in different directions," Hughes told the Daily Mail.[LNB]"Eventually, I understood it was a feeling of relief that it was over (at City). I wasn't enjoying it there at the end. I had no bitterness, no regrets, but I was relieved to be away.[LNB]"How was I treated? At times, I had support. At times, I needed support and I didn't get it. And then there were times when support that was there was withdrawn...especially towards the end.[LNB]"I toed the party line more than I should. I compromised my own values more than I should. It won't happen again but I'll say this: it has made me a better manager."[LNB]Hughes was replaced at City by Italian coach Roberto Mancini, and although Hughes got the Fulham job only because Hodgson was appointed Liverpool manager, the Welshman insists there is still a reluctance among top clubs to appoint British coaches.[LNB]"Top clubs won't appoint British managers because we don't have trophies," said Hughes.[LNB]"I watch some of the teams in the Champions League, with managers who have won trophies, and I know I can set up a team to beat them.[LNB]"Competing in the Premier League is more difficult than winning trophies in plenty of countries abroad. Who is the better manager...one of these Champions League guys with a trophy from Holland, France, Switzerland and places like that - or me, in this league, the hardest, most high profile league in the world?"

Source: Team_Talk