 |
||
 |
GREAT GIFTS
PROPERTY JOBS
CARS
DATING |
|
|
|
||
 |
||
 |
||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
 Fulham confirm imminent new-boss announcement 7/29/2010 - 11:42:54 AM Mark Hughes looks set for a return to the Barclays Premier League after Fulham confirmed they are on the brink of appointing their new manager. Although the Cottagers stopped short of confirming Hughes was their choice, the former Manchester City manager has been widely tipped to become the successor to Roy Hodgson. Hughes, 46, who was sacked by Manchester City last December, is understood to have reached an agreement with Fulham with an announcement now expected within the next 48 hours. A spokesperson for the west London club said: “I can confirm that we are hopeful of an announcement within the next 24/48 hours.” Bookmakers installed Hughes as firm favourite to land the job after Fulham lost out in their bid to prise Martin Jol away from Ajax. The expected arrival of Hughes will almost certainly be followed by a reshuffle of the backroom staff at Craven Cottage. First-team coach Ray Lewington, currently caretaker manager following Hodgson’s departure to Liverpool, is expected to link-up with him again on Merseyside. Goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly could also leave for Liverpool with Hughes expected to bring in his own regular backroom staff that includes Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki. Agreeing personal terms will not be a problem for Hughes who began his managerial career with Wales in 1999. The former Manchester United and Chelsea striker was close to guiding Wales into Euro 2004 but lost out in a play-off to Russia. Blackburn appointed him in 2004 and he led Rovers to an FA Cup semi-final and UEFA Cup qualification. Four years later he joined Manchester City but despite pushing the club into the top six, the aspirations changed when the Abu Dhabi United Group took charge. The takeover made City the richest club in the world but even though Hughes spent heavily on players, their progress was not enough to guarantee him a job and he was sacked in December last year in favour of Roberto Mancini. Hughes is likely to be given around £15m to spend by chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed and he will link-up again with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who he worked closely with during his time at Manchester City. Among the names being linked with a move to Fulham should Hughes take over is striker Craig Bellamy. Hughes took the striker to both Blackburn and Manchester City and, although personal terms may present a problem, it is understood Bellamy is a real target. The move to appoint Hughes has been carefully planned by Fulham with Al-Fayed refusing to panic after Ajax rejected their move for Jol. Hughes will also need to consider a deal for Steve Sidwell from Aston Villa as well as persuade goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to stay at the club if Arsenal decide to step-up their interest in the Australian stopper. Hughes, who was always on the club’s shortlist, pipped former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and Ottmar Hitzfeld, who were also linked with the post. |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
