Sport

Fulham hire Hughes

July 30, 2010 Edition 1

Soccer

LONDON: Fulham hired former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes on a two-year contract yesterday.

The west London club opted for Hughes, who has been out of work since being fired by City in December, after failing to prise Martin Jol from Ajax last week.

Fulham had been seeking a manager since July 1, when the popular Roy Hodgson was tempted to join Liverpool by the challenge of reviving the five-times European champions.

Hodgson saved Fulham from relegation within months of joining. He then guided the unfashionable side to its best yet top flight finish of seventh in his first full season and followed that by reaching last season’s Europa League final.

“I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club’s history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition,” Hughes said.

“I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.

“I’m looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August.”

Fulham, who lost what was only their second major final 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, open the Premier League season at Bolton on August 14.

Hughes enjoyed success in his first managerial position with his native Wales and then at Blackburn but was fired midway through his second season with Manchester City when the club’s wealthy owners began to doubt his ability to guide the team to a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker was aggrieved at his exit from City.

Hughes had spent about $330 million on new players inside a year and lost just two matches until December.

But the club’s wealthy owner was dissatisfied with a string of draws that left City sixth in the Premier League.

Those draws meant City were on a streak of just two wins in 11 Premier League games when Hughes left.

He was succeeded by former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini but City were still edged to fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot by Tottenham.

Fulham finished 12th last season and are of a similar status to the Blackburn side that Hughes guided to the top half of the Premier League before he was headhunted by City.

“I know that he understands my vision for the club and believes in what we want to achieve,” said Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed. “We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue.

“I am confident that with his Premier League and national team successes, Mark will be a great guy for the job.”

Meanwhile, Brazilian forward Ronaldinho has strained his left hamstring and will miss the Emirates Cup being hosted in London by Arsenal this weekend.

AC Milan said in a statement yesterday that Ronaldinho will be out for seven days with a strained left femoral bicep.

He comlained of pain on Wednesday night after the day’s second training session in Milanello and underwent tests yesterday.

Since moving to Milan in 2008, Ronaldinho has scored 20 goals in 65 appearances, but despite recovering some of his best form he was left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad.

Earlier this month, Milan dismissed rumours that Flamengo had made an offer for Ronaldinho. – Sapa-AP