'Sparky' to Fulham, Lewington to Anfield, Sammy Lee ??

[dee]

Fulham have reached an agreement with Mark Hughes for him to become their new manager, BBC Sport understands.
The Craven Cottage club said on Thursday that they expect to name their new boss within the next 48 hours. Former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Hughes, 46, has been out of work since being sacked as Manchester City manager in December 2009.

The Welshman will replace Roy Hodgson, who left Fulham earlier this month to take charge at Liverpool. Fulham had wanted to recruit Ajax coach Martin Jol but were forced to look elsewhere when the Dutch club refused to let the former Tottenham manager leave.

Hughes began his managerial career with Wales in 1999, taking them to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004, only to denied by a play-off loss to Russia. In 2004, he took the helm at Blackburn and guided them to an FA Cup semi-final and also a place in the Uefa Cup. He was appointed by City in 2008 but the club's change of ownership and hugely increased budget and level of expectation meant he only had 18 months in the job before he was replaced by Roberto Mancini.

At Fulham, he will be working with more modest resources but he will inherit a side left in good shape by Hodgson. Last season, Hodgson guided the Cottagers on a memorable Europa League campaign, which ended when they lost in the final to Atletico Madrid.

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, is expected to follow him to 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.
A move to Fulham will see Hughes link up again with chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who he worked closely with during his time at Manchester City.

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: 'Sparky' to Fulham, Lewington to Anfield

So cheerio to Sammy Lee is it?

 

[Squiggles]

Re: 'Sparky' to Fulham, Lewington to Anfield

Sensible move by Fulham in appointing Hughes.

He's a better manager than his time at City suggested.

 

[gareth_thomas]

Id much rather have had Hughes as manager than Roy..

however, he still has time to prove me wrong.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Re: 'Sparky' to Fulham, Lewington to Anfield

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=41177.msg1144504#msg1144504 date=1280401237]
Sensible move by Fulham in appointing Hughes.

He's a better manager than his time at City suggested.
[/quote]

Agreed. I think he'll do well there.

 

[H]

[quote author=gareth_thomas link=topic=41177.msg1144658#msg1144658 date=1280416246]
Id much rather have had Hughes as manager than Roy..

however, he still has time to prove me wrong.
[/quote]
An ex Manc, no thanks.

 

[Irish_Red]

Re: 'Sparky' to Fulham, Lewington to Anfield

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=41177.msg1144503#msg1144503 date=1280401157]
So cheerio to Sammy Lee is it?
[/quote]

Roys stated Sammy will stay regardless, Lewington was always going to follow whenever Fulham named the new manager.

 

[Judge Jules]

I thought it had already been agreed that Kelly would come.

Hughes could do well at Fulham IMO. Both for Wales and for Blackburn he took thinnish squads and brought the best out of them, which is pretty much what he'll have to do again at Craven Cottage. The Citeh job was a different kettle of fish and I was never convinced it would suit him TBH, though you couldn't blame him for taking it given the resources they were offering him.

 

[Avmenon]

Yup, I actually think Hughes and HOdgson have a bit in common.

 

[Buddha]

Bellamy and SWP to Fulham it is then.

This could be a good move for Fulham if they pick up some of the extras at City for pennies.