Hughton focusing on future at Norwich

08 June 2012 08:47

New Norwich manager Chris Hughton insists he does not have unfinished business in the Barclays Premier League after his brief stint as manager of Newcastle ended acrimoniously 18 months ago.

The 53-year-old, who left Birmingham to sign a three-year contract at Carrow Road, led the Magpies back to the top flight at the first time of asking before being sacked in December 2010.

He has now been handed a second crack at the Premier League, but said: "You can only look back on what you have achieved and it's part and parcel of the game - you have to move on from it. I have good, fond memories of Newcastle rather than any other ones. I had some messages from Newcastle congratulating me on what was happening and we all move on. That's the best way to look at it."

Hughton takes charge of the club with captain Grant Holt having made it clear on numerous occasions that he wishes to move on, but the new boss is hopeful of keeping hold of the 31-year-old.

"He is a quality player - no doubt about that," he said of Holt, who netted 17 goals in the 2011/12 campaign.

"With his record - to score the goals he did last season - there wouldn't be any manager coming in who wouldn't want to keep a player of that quality.

"I've only just come through the door a few minutes ago so I have not had the opportunity to speak with him, but that will be one of the priorities."

Whether Hughton can convince Holt to stay or not, he will set about improving the current squad ahead of the new term.

He said: "We have had conversations (about transfers and budget). There will be a budget to work on bringing players in but that's not the most important thing.

"The current squad have fared very well over last few years. It's now a question of getting to know them, assessing where we can strengthen and where we can make ourselves better as a team and a squad."

Source: PA