Sections of the media are suggesting that Mark Hughes has already been undermined by recent events at Manchester City concerning transfers and that was before the ABU Dhabi United Group arrived on the scene. The story goes that City tried to offload Corluka and Ireland behind the former Blackburn manager's back.
Hughes quickly regained control of the situation following meetings with the club's senior management team. However, Corluka was subsequently sold on this week, which was quite a turnaround given that we have been led to believe that the Welshman didn't want to lose the Croatian defender. The suspicion is that Hughes wasn't in control of transfers; clearly he wasn't fully aware of what was going on behind the scenes.
Football has changed over the last few years with "directors of football" being brought in to oversee transfers at several Premier League clubs, but rather than help it has caused conflict at Newcastle and West Ham. How long will it be before Kevin Keegan joins Alan Curbishley in the ranks of the unemployed managers? It's being reported that Denis Wise, former Chelsea star and director of football at Newcastle is at the heart of Keegan's gripes with the Magpies.
So it comes are no surprise to learn that sections of the media are already claiming that Hughes is manager of City in name alone. The front man of the ABU Dhabi group Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim has wasted no time in making bold statements about who HE wants to see playing for City, if Hughes thought it bad before the events of this week, clearly it is going to get a whole lot more complicated, with Al-Fahim talking like the club's de facto manager about his plans for new players.
Hughes is in a no win situation, if he argues his corner on transfers, the chances are the Arabs will do exactly what Newcastle United, West Ham and Tottenham have done, that is they will bring in people above the manager. When that happens, as we have already seen, it rarely works and it can quickly end in tears.
City may well be the richest club in the world, but if they are going to be successful they will need stability on and off the pitch. A classic example of how not to do it is Real Madrid, they dismissed Vincente del Bosque who was one of the club's most successful manager's in recent times, but a succession of replacements failed and no amount of stars could put things right on the pitch.
Having spoken to City fans, they believe that Hughes will be given no longer than 12 months to make a big impact. If he fails, as I think he will, he will be in prime position to take the United job where hopefully he will carry on the great work done by Ferguson.
Taking the City job is an important part of Mark Hughes managerial apprenticeship, he is about to learn some tough lessons, but they will serve him well when the United position comes up.
Showing posts with label mark hughes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mark hughes. Show all posts
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Hughes in City firing-line while Chelsea are in complete turmoil...
So then, United legend Mark Hughes has accepted the poisoned chalice that is the Manchester City manager's job. Stability is not a word often used at Eastlands where the manager's position is concerned and while Thaksin Shinawatra has only been at the club for a relatively short period of time, he has carried on the Blues long-standing tradition of hiring and firing when getting rid of Sven-Goran Eriksson post-haste.
You do wonder how long it will be before Hughes is shown the seemingly ever revolving manager's door. For the record, the Welshman becomes the 16th manager to take charge since Fergie has been at Old Trafford. Ironically, of the Manchester clubs it could well be United who are next looking to appoint a new manager following confirmation that Fergie is likely to only be around for another two years - but Hughes could go before then, that is for certain based on Dr (arf) Shinawatra's treatment of Eriksson.
While the City job will be a difficult one, it's beginning to look like Chelsea's search to replace Avram Grant is nearing farcical proportions. Chelsea have been given the knock-back by Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach. Hughes was thought to be in the frame, but Chelsea blinked and City got their man. You have to laugh, especially at Peter Kenyon who is often cited as being the single biggest problem at Stamford Bridge by their own supporters.
Frank Rikjaard could be a candidate, but that is by no means certain given he's just left Barcelona under something of a cloud and there's been rumours suggesting all is not well where off the field matters are concerned.
Then there's "big Phil" Scolari, but you do wonder if the Brazilian could be a too much like Henk Ten Cate who wasn't shy of dishing out the odd backhander when players' got out of turn. Would the former Brazilian national team manager put up with interference from upstairs? Answers on a postcard. Chelsea might justifiably be a bit nervous about appointing Scolari - and let's be honest, the West London club cannot afford to screw-up this next appointment - especially given that Mourinho is now back managing and in the limelight again.
However, Chelsea claim that they are perfectly happy with progress on the search for a new manager. This at a time when Mourinho is looking to snap up Drogba and Essien - Chelsea's public show of confidence is of course a load of old blarney it's about as convincing as someone losing a winning lottery jackpot ticket and then saying that they aren't that bothered.
Roberto Mancini, the sacked Inter Manager must be in the frame, but wouldn't appointing him look bad if Mourinho does well? It could be a PR disaster for Chelsea and for this reason alone I suspect Mancini is an unlikely candidate.
You do wonder if Chelsea might have to appoint Steve Clarke - but if they do, I boldly predict it will turn out to be a total disaster - I'd give him a season at best.
Chelsea to finish fourth next season anyone?
You do wonder how long it will be before Hughes is shown the seemingly ever revolving manager's door. For the record, the Welshman becomes the 16th manager to take charge since Fergie has been at Old Trafford. Ironically, of the Manchester clubs it could well be United who are next looking to appoint a new manager following confirmation that Fergie is likely to only be around for another two years - but Hughes could go before then, that is for certain based on Dr (arf) Shinawatra's treatment of Eriksson.
While the City job will be a difficult one, it's beginning to look like Chelsea's search to replace Avram Grant is nearing farcical proportions. Chelsea have been given the knock-back by Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach. Hughes was thought to be in the frame, but Chelsea blinked and City got their man. You have to laugh, especially at Peter Kenyon who is often cited as being the single biggest problem at Stamford Bridge by their own supporters.
Frank Rikjaard could be a candidate, but that is by no means certain given he's just left Barcelona under something of a cloud and there's been rumours suggesting all is not well where off the field matters are concerned.
Then there's "big Phil" Scolari, but you do wonder if the Brazilian could be a too much like Henk Ten Cate who wasn't shy of dishing out the odd backhander when players' got out of turn. Would the former Brazilian national team manager put up with interference from upstairs? Answers on a postcard. Chelsea might justifiably be a bit nervous about appointing Scolari - and let's be honest, the West London club cannot afford to screw-up this next appointment - especially given that Mourinho is now back managing and in the limelight again.
However, Chelsea claim that they are perfectly happy with progress on the search for a new manager. This at a time when Mourinho is looking to snap up Drogba and Essien - Chelsea's public show of confidence is of course a load of old blarney it's about as convincing as someone losing a winning lottery jackpot ticket and then saying that they aren't that bothered.
Roberto Mancini, the sacked Inter Manager must be in the frame, but wouldn't appointing him look bad if Mourinho does well? It could be a PR disaster for Chelsea and for this reason alone I suspect Mancini is an unlikely candidate.
You do wonder if Chelsea might have to appoint Steve Clarke - but if they do, I boldly predict it will turn out to be a total disaster - I'd give him a season at best.
Chelsea to finish fourth next season anyone?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
United legend set to join Chelsea?
Reports in the press are claiming that Mark 'Sparky' Hughes is in the frame to replace Avram Grant at Chelsea. If we are to believe the stories on the vacant manager's position there's only four big names who are being seriously considered; Mark Hughes, Roberto Mancini, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Didier Deschamps. Out of the list of potential candidates only Hughes and Scolari are currently employed following the news that Inter Milan sacked Mancini earlier this week.
One theory that is being bandied around by the media is that Peter Kenyon is backing Hughes to become the next Chelsea manager, you can imagine why that might be the case.
The West London club have had three managers' so far in the Abramovich era; Claudio Ranieri the infamous "tinkerman", the media darling and cocky Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant who was the exact opposite of his predecessor - the Israeli coach was on a loser from day one, he would have been sacked even if Chelsea had won the Champions League.
So you can sort of understand why Kenyon might be backing Hughes who has many qualities, he gets on with it quietly, he's known to be quite hard when the need arises and he doesn't go blabbing to press every five minutes. However, Hughes lack of managerial experience in Europe could count against him.
The Welshman is of course a former Blues player and he's currently managing Blackburn Rovers, but there's a world of difference between his current situation and the one he'd be walking into at Stamford Bridge should he accept the job if offered.
For a start, as far as the first team is concerned Hughes has total control at Ewood Park, that wouldn't be the case at the Bridge with owner Roman Abramovich interjecting with his own views on the style of play and on player acquisitions plus selection issues.
There's an argument which suggests that Hughes would be mad to give up his current job where all things being equal he could stay for a very long time. Why give up the security of the Blackburn job for the none-stop media scrutiny and pressure that comes with the Chelsea position? The answer to that is simple, the big jobs don't come around that often and Hughes may feel that now is the right time to move up to the next level.
Hughes might well have is eye on replacing Ferguson at United, but there's no guarantees that he'd be offered the job. My own gut feeling is that Hughes would jump at the chance to become the next Chelsea manager, but I also believe that he might live to regret it should he be appointed. Sam Allardyce took the Newcastle United job to better himself, he was out on his ear not long after and hasn't worked since.
One theory that is being bandied around by the media is that Peter Kenyon is backing Hughes to become the next Chelsea manager, you can imagine why that might be the case.
The West London club have had three managers' so far in the Abramovich era; Claudio Ranieri the infamous "tinkerman", the media darling and cocky Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant who was the exact opposite of his predecessor - the Israeli coach was on a loser from day one, he would have been sacked even if Chelsea had won the Champions League.
So you can sort of understand why Kenyon might be backing Hughes who has many qualities, he gets on with it quietly, he's known to be quite hard when the need arises and he doesn't go blabbing to press every five minutes. However, Hughes lack of managerial experience in Europe could count against him.
The Welshman is of course a former Blues player and he's currently managing Blackburn Rovers, but there's a world of difference between his current situation and the one he'd be walking into at Stamford Bridge should he accept the job if offered.
For a start, as far as the first team is concerned Hughes has total control at Ewood Park, that wouldn't be the case at the Bridge with owner Roman Abramovich interjecting with his own views on the style of play and on player acquisitions plus selection issues.
There's an argument which suggests that Hughes would be mad to give up his current job where all things being equal he could stay for a very long time. Why give up the security of the Blackburn job for the none-stop media scrutiny and pressure that comes with the Chelsea position? The answer to that is simple, the big jobs don't come around that often and Hughes may feel that now is the right time to move up to the next level.
Hughes might well have is eye on replacing Ferguson at United, but there's no guarantees that he'd be offered the job. My own gut feeling is that Hughes would jump at the chance to become the next Chelsea manager, but I also believe that he might live to regret it should he be appointed. Sam Allardyce took the Newcastle United job to better himself, he was out on his ear not long after and hasn't worked since.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The rise and rise of the quiet man Mark 'Sparky' Hughes...
Later today United take on Blackburn Rovers who never give the Reds an easy ride, it is a game that both teams will be desperate to win, the Reds only need to draw to go top of the table, albeit until Arsenal play at Reading on Monday night.
It is of course a Lancashire derby and there's no love between the two clubs or supporters, that is apart from the fact that one of our all time greats is their manager, none other than the Welsh Dragon and the man of iron that is Mark Hughes.
Like all true Red legends he always gets a great reception by the faithful, win, lose or draw, Hughes will leave Old Trafford today with his reputation and standing among the fans very much in tact, it could well be further enhanced as Blackburn are playing some decent football and proving difficult to beat (apart from in Europe).
There's talk that Sparky could eventually go on to replace Fergie. There's no doubting that the quiet man his doing an excellent job, whether or not the United board view Hughes as a potential candidate to replace Fergie is a good question. Certainly among the fans he'd be a popular choice. Perhaps his lack of experience in Europe as a manager might been seen as a potential barrier. Time will tell.
As far as today is concerned United fans will be hoping that Brad Friedel doesn't have another brilliant game as he usually does against the Reds.
Saha, the man who was earlier in the week told that he faces bench warming duty for much of the season, comes in to replace injured Wayne Rooney.
Fergie is likley to start with his strongest side which should see both Hargreaves and Anderson filling the two central midfield slots, with either Giggs or Nani playing wide left.
It is of course a Lancashire derby and there's no love between the two clubs or supporters, that is apart from the fact that one of our all time greats is their manager, none other than the Welsh Dragon and the man of iron that is Mark Hughes.
Like all true Red legends he always gets a great reception by the faithful, win, lose or draw, Hughes will leave Old Trafford today with his reputation and standing among the fans very much in tact, it could well be further enhanced as Blackburn are playing some decent football and proving difficult to beat (apart from in Europe).
There's talk that Sparky could eventually go on to replace Fergie. There's no doubting that the quiet man his doing an excellent job, whether or not the United board view Hughes as a potential candidate to replace Fergie is a good question. Certainly among the fans he'd be a popular choice. Perhaps his lack of experience in Europe as a manager might been seen as a potential barrier. Time will tell.
As far as today is concerned United fans will be hoping that Brad Friedel doesn't have another brilliant game as he usually does against the Reds.
Saha, the man who was earlier in the week told that he faces bench warming duty for much of the season, comes in to replace injured Wayne Rooney.
Fergie is likley to start with his strongest side which should see both Hargreaves and Anderson filling the two central midfield slots, with either Giggs or Nani playing wide left.
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