It’s clear that 9th-place won’t be good enough for Thaksin Shinawatra next season – Sven-Goran Eriksson found that to his cost. Quite simply, Mark Hughes knows he’s under pressure from the loveable ex-Thai prime minister, despite the latter speaking so highly of the Welshman after his appointment. Will Sparky deliver the goods? According to the BBC website, he’s certainly in a determined mood after taking over the reigns at Eastlands:
“The ambition of the club is to challenge at the top table – not only in this country but in Europe,” said ex-Manchester United striker Hughes.
“If we get the right players in right positions it is more than realistic.”
“If I’m successful here I don’t need any stepping stones,” said the 44-year-old.
Although Hughes has previously managed Wales in addition to Blackburn, he’s inexperienced as far as European club management is concerned, faring pretty poorly with Rovers on the occasions they have made it into the UEFA Cup. It will be interesting to see which new faces he brings in, and whether he can persuade the likes of Richard Dunne to stay.
Surely City can’t break into the top four anytime soon can they?