Another one bites the dust. Martin O'neil and Hughesy recently snapped up by clubs worrying about retaining their places in the Premier League. Seems pretty sensible to me.
Remember when we had a top quality manager?
Blackburn Rovers (2004–2008)Hughes quit the Welsh national side in September 2004 to take charge of Blackburn Rovers in the FA Premier League, the last club he had played for. His key aim was to keep Blackburn clear of relegation which he succeeded in doing, whilst also taking the club to an FA Cup semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.
In his second season, Blackburn surprised even the most optimistic supporters by finishing inside the top six of the Premier League and qualifying for the UEFA Cup, beating teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United (twice) and Arsenal along the way. After just missing out on the League Cup final, his team sealed their spot in Europe by defeating champions Chelsea 1–0 at home.
On 4 May 2006, Hughes and assistant Mark Bowen signed new three-year contracts to remain at Blackburn until the summer of 2009.
Hughes then set about creating a formidable side at Ewood Park. He entered the transfer market, bringing in players such as Benni McCarthy (£2 million), David Bentley (£500,000), Ryan Nelsen (free), Stephen Warnock (£1.5 million), Roque Santa Cruz (£3.5 million), and Christopher Samba (£400,000). Rovers finished 10th in the Premier League in 2006–07, and reached the UEFA Cup round of 32, where they were knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen 3–2 on aggregate. Rovers faced Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, their third consecutive semi-final since Hughes took charge. The match ended in defeat 2–1.
He won the October 2007 Award for the Premier League Manager of the Month, and eventually led Blackburn to a league finish of 7th in 2007–08, Hughes' final season in charge at Ewood Park.
During his spell in charge of Blackburn, Hughes' side was accused of being "over-physical" and "dirty" on multiple occasions and the club finished bottom of the Premier League disciplinary table in all four of Hughes' seasons in charge.
Mark Hughes
posted on 10/1/12
My love has got no money - he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no power- he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no fame - he's got his strong beliefs
My love has got no money - he's got his strong beliefs
posted on 10/1/12
"Benni McCarthy (£2 million), David Bentley (£500,000), Ryan Nelsen (free), Stephen Warnock (£1.5 million), Roque Santa Cruz (£3.5 million), and Christopher Samba (£400,000)."
How I miss those days.
posted on 10/1/12
I miss Lee Carsley
posted on 10/1/12
Brave move by QPR, see Premier League status slipping away and they try and do something about it.
What radical thinking.
Sadly for us, Kean will still be in charge for our first championship game next season.
posted on 10/1/12
Lee Carsley?
Madrid definitely signed the wrong baldy from Everton.
posted on 10/1/12
This just shows the ability of a good manager. Reversing the fortunes of a falling club. We've been lucky enough to have two good managers in recent years that have had to do that.
Fair play to Hughes, he helped us out and did very well with us. Sad to see him go but in reality we could not match his ambitions in our previous guise.
posted on 10/1/12
Another team out of the relegation battle.
posted on 10/1/12
Will this make QPR more attractive to Samba?
posted on 10/1/12
I would have said definitely.
posted on 10/1/12
Funny how Thomas Gravesen and Lee Carsley were almost indistinguishable when watching on television!
Good luck to Hughes. I hope he does well, but not at our expense anyway.