MARK HUGHES wants to make Manchester City as
big as their red rivals from down the road.
The new Eastlands boss knows City might never match
United’s global popularity — but he insists they can challenge them
in the success stakes, just as Chelsea have in recent years.
And Hughes admits Blues owner Thaksin Shinawatra’s
pledge to dig deep into his £900million fortune was the bait that
lured him back to Manchester.
The former United striker said: “The ambition is to
challenge the top clubs — not just in the Premier League, but in
Europe.
“If we can get the right players in the right
positions, that is more than realistic. The finance and the
commitment are there to bring those players here.
“I’m very excited by the plans to take this club
forward. We want a sustained period of success and the roof will go
off the place if we get it
“The plan is to raise the profile of this club, not
only in this country but worldwide as well. That also appeals to
me.
“It is a huge project. But once City’s intentions were
clear, I wanted to be part of it.”
Hughes, 45, left Blackburn to sign a three-year deal
which will earn him £9m.
Former City boss Sven Goran Eriksson also had a
three-year contract — and was sacked after just 10 months. But
‘Sparky’ is losing no sleep over the Swede’s ruthless axing.
He added: “They have big plans and they recognise I am
a young man in managerial terms and that I have the drive and
energy to propel the club from within.
“At different times you bring different managerial
skills to the role and maybe the energy you need to be a driving
force is not there in some people.
“Last season was a positive one for the club for long
periods. But you need to be consistently challenging the top
clubs.
“Every manager is under pressure. It is a
results-driven business and you are judged on the decisions you
make. It doesn’t faze me. I have worked with pressure as a player
and a manager and I have learned to deal with it — even thrive on
it.
“I could easily have stayed at Blackburn and been
comfortable, but that’s not what I am about.
“I want to be somewhere where the level of expectation
is high. I love the crackle of the atmosphere leading into key
games and that’s what I want to experience again and again.”
Hughes won nine trophies during his two spells at Old
Trafford during the 1990s and also played for Chelsea in the
pre-Roman Abramovich era.
The Welshman added: “When I signed for Chelsea they had
a rusty old stand and a big hole for a car park. Just look at them
now.
“There are different periods of progress at every club
and I believe this will be one for us.
“I’m trying to progress my managerial career and I’m at
a great club with a great fan base who have reacted very positively
to my appointment. But fans of every football club will show their
disapproval if their team is not performing or getting results.
“I believe in my own ability. My passion and my drive
are there for all to see.
“If you see how my teams play, you see that the work I
do has a positive impact.
“I’ll back my ability against most managers in the
Premier League and I think my management team is one of the best in
the business.”
Hughes has long been tipped as a successor to Alex
Ferguson when the United boss finally retires. But the new City
chief was not prepared to hang around to find out.
He said: “I cannot wait around for opportunities that
might or might not come one, five or maybe even 10 years down the
line.
“When opportunities arrive you take them, or you regret
them for the rest of your life.
“The opportunity at City is there for all to see.
“At Blackburn we had three top-10 finishes and three
cup semi-finals. I want to move on from that and start winning
trophies.
“If I am successful here I won’t need any stepping
stones to anywhere else.”
And has he received any messages from his old boss
congratulating him on his new job?
Hughes revealed: “No, no — what would you expect?”
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