MARK Hughes is in talks with Manchester City with a view to becoming the new boss at Eastlands.
The Blues confirmed the sacking of Sven-Goran Eriksson this morning and have moved swiftly to line up a replacement.
A statement on Blackburn Rovers' official site read: "Blackburn Rovers can confirm they have received an approach from Manchester City for permission to talk to Mark Hughes with regard to him becoming manager.
"Mark has made it clear to the board he would like the opportunity to talk to Manchester City.
"In view of this the Board have decided reluctantly to give permission subject to terms and conditions acceptable to Blackburn Rovers being agreed with Manchester City in advance."
With Luiz Felipe Scolari and Roberto Mancini heavily linked with the Chelsea job and Jose Mourinho apparently on the verge of joining Inter Milan, City owner Thaksin Shinawatra appears to have placed Hughes at the top of a wanted list that also includes Zico and Avram Grant.
Despite his obvious links to Manchester United, Dr Thaksin feels the Welshman, who managed his country before going on to take Blackburn into Europe and bring the likes of Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz to Ewood Park, is the man who can guide City towards the top four.
Desire
Given Dr Thaksin’s obvious desire to have Hughes on board, financial considerations would not appear to be a problem.
It could mean Hughes is unveiled as City’s new manager, and third in 14 months following a relatively stable period under Kevin Keegan, before the end of the week.
Certainly, while club insiders are refusing to put a timescale on talks over the manager’s position, they are confident of unveiling Eriksson’s successor earlier in the summer than the Swede was confirmed in the job last July.
Thaksin has seen at first hand the difficulties Eriksson had moulding a team together at such short notice and the situation would be even worse this summer given the Blues will be in action on July 18 as they begin their UEFA Cup quest in the first qualifying round.
Hughes’ appointment would almost certainly win favour with the bulk of City’s players, making it more likely star defenders Richard Dunne and Micah Richards would remain with the club.
And while many fans may be dubious about the United link, it may also quell widespread anger at Thaksin over Eriksson’s dismissal.
Would you like to see Hughes at City? Have your say.
City close on Hughes
June 02, 2008
Comments
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A potentially fantastic appointment.
He ticks all the boxes, and if he can tempt Bentley, Santa Cruz and Pederson then job's a good 'un!
And, even better, he actually sounds enthusiastic about coming to us.
Just one word of caution, though... never, EVER wear those mini-shorts you used to wear at ragworld!
TotsOut Jackie wouldn't know where to put herself!
Despite being an ex red, Hughes is a pretty decent manager. He likes to play with wideplayers in a 4-4-2 formation and isnt afraid to drop players who are not pulling their weight. Obviously if he does become manager then the press will be thinking Bentley, Santa Cruz to City. Will he be able to attract the real stars and play the type of football Taskin wants is another matter. Just like to thank Sven, for what he did during his time in charge, we had some up and down moments but we always do! Good luck in your next job Sven
Great plus with Mark Hughes is he will be very good with the young academyplayers that have come through, or are about to come through. Him being an ex-red to me is of no importance whatsoever.
He has been giving time at Blackburn, and he builded a good side. I wonder if he (or any manager for that matter)will be given time by Thaksin, and by the fans with memories not lasting more than 5 months.
Let's forget this 'he played for the Rags' nonsense right away. So did Brian Kidd and Peter Schmeichel and they both did superb jobs for us when they joined us. He knows the Premiership inside out, his record in the transfer market is excellent, his teams are hard to beat and play much better football than often credited for and he is YOUNG and ambitious. Bring him on!
not many ex scum players I could say this about, and even this is through gritted teeth, he is a top manager and I would love to see him at City.
I expect a lightening bolt to strike me as I hit the submit button so maybe no more posts from me
He's obviously done a good job at Blackburn, but the two main problems that come to mind are :
1. Will he attract the top players that City will need to progress, and,
2. Will he walk away when Taggart retires if they start sniffing around him, espeacially if City are doing well.
My mind is not made up on him but to be honest, if Grant, Mclaren and Hughes are the only available candidates then it has to Hughes....
Not bothered that hughes was a former red, sir matt busby was a former city player and look what happened since he became their manager!
The more i think about it, the more it makes sense.
As i said in a previous post, as long as he's given time, money and control of transfers and team selection [without interference!!]i think we can start to make progress.
Sign him i say.
why would we get rid of a manager who has won so much and has so many contacts throughout the football world for A RAG who has won NOTHING!!!!!!!
First off, a big thank you to Sven and good luck in the future. One thing's for sure, if we get Hughes we won't be qualifying for Europe through the Fair Play League anymore!
No problem with Hughes. He supported Chelsea as a kid.
Got Blackburn playing decent football with modest cash. Good in transfer market. Born winner. Won't put up with prima donnas whether it be Ronaldinho or anyone else. Should be able to keep Richards, Johnson, Hart etc.
Not losing any sleep if Dunnie goes. Good but not that good. Just look at who wants to sign him, none of the top sides
Following on from all the Mexico postings can someone make it clear if Blackburn is in North Central or South Lancashire?
An amusing appointment which opens the way for the football genius Shinawatra and his close-knit team of highly-motivated advisors to do all the transfer business, leaving Hughes to coach the first team. Expect a mixture of old Brasilians and young Thais battling for a place in the team with our Academy graduates.
i like mark hughes as a manager and as a person comes across as very honest.he's been loyal to biackburn as this isn't the first time a club has come calling.his teams are usually played with wingers(which us city fans love)and with 2 upfront which would be an improvement.the only down sides are:can he attract the class of player dr t demands?can he talk dunnie out of leaving(or our other acadamy stars)?will he leave us for dead when sir taggert hangs his stopwatch up?and don't forget the only thing he's won as a manager is european qualification.
Blue 62, in answer to your query Blackburn is east of north-west central south Lancashire. Hope that helps.
If he does well and gets us into the top 4 then he gets poached by the rags! If he does badly and does a Harry Redknapp then we are the butt of the rags jokes for years to come.
DESCHAMPS for me!
Sam did a good job at Bolton, and need i say anymore.
From Sven to Hughes its like dumbing Cinderella for her ugly sister.
In Dr T we trust.
Mark hughes would be a brilliant manager for city .
Probably the most promising young British manager and certainly capable of keeping City in the top half of the table but clearly still got to prove he can win something as a manager. Let's see if he actually signs on the dotted line.
Spot on bluenev. Good move. 3 of our problem positions last season were left back, right mid and centre forward....mmmm Warnock Bentley and Santa Cruz.
ex red we know, but one of the best young managers in the prem.
no problem for me, sparky will do a fantastic job, thanks sven you leave with my very best wishes for the future, but the future is where we are and hughes would be excellent.
Probably key to all this is that he`s a proven premiership manager, who knows what it takes to win things.
Add some steel to the team to protect Elano and Petrov and really its what we`ve been missing.
And in the poll would you like to see Hughes at City opposite, would be interesting to know how many reds are voting, as NONE of the reds I work with want to see him come to us and some have even said if he comes to us and makes us half decent they dont want him at the swamp when Taggart goes...........and they call us bitter !!!
CTID
mark hughes - why not, i say .. he would be a much better, and wiser appointment than some names that have been mentioned (mancini for exmaple, would be a foolish choice).. if mark hughes wont take the position, it has to be someone like lippi, or rijkard ?? pip..pip..
May I add that the way the Blackburn official site informs the fans should set an exemple to City and the board. Just the fact that Hughes wants to talk to another club for them is by no means reason to withheld this information from their fans.
Well what has mark hughes ever won ? blackburn only finished 3 points above city, cant way shinawatra up, he knows nothing about football . one very fed up city fan... citysam
At least under Hughes we might play with more than a lone striker up front next time we play Wigan at home...