http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3615763/Fulham-fury-as-Hughes-quits.html (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3615763/Fulham-fury-as-Hughes-quits.html)
Hughes dirty rat!
By ANDREW DILLON
Published: Today
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MARK HUGHES was last night accused of walking out on Fulham - 24 hours after verbally agreeing a new deal.
Sparky quit Mohamed Fayed's club a day after Gerard Houllier had stepped down as Aston Villa boss.
But Villa insist he is not in the running for their job.
A Fulham insider told SunSport: "On Wednesday evening there was a fully negotiated two-year contract with a substantial pay rise just needing to be checked over by lawyers and to be signed by Mark Hughes.
"Yet less than a day later it's all over and he's resigned.
"But if a manager can't give commitment or loyalty to the chairman then it's best they move on now and not in August with a new season looming.
"There's already been a huge amount of interest from other coaches to take over."
Hughes insists his decision to leave after less than a year has nothing to do with chasing a new job at Villa.
He said last night: "I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."
Sources close to Hughes claim a new deal was still some way off after two months of talks - but that the main reason he has gone is a massive breakdown over transfer funds.
Hughes was growing frustrated with what he felt was Fulham's sluggish response to his demands for more firepower and the ongoing pursuit of £10m Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo.
The source said: "Hughes had spent hardly any money since taking over.
He sensed much dithering over moves to buy new players and simply decided enough was enough and resigned."
Hughes' contract had an escape clause which kicked in on June 1 allowing him to join another club or be sacked with no compensation.
Fulham chairman Fayed must now choose a new boss with Martin O'Neill, Steve McClaren and Alan Curbishley among the early contenders.
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Watch out, Villa door is closing
TAKE IT ON THE CHIN ... Hughes, seen with Fulham owner Fayed, might have an anxious wait over Villa
Hughes walks out on Fulham
MARK HUGHES has quit Fulham and is now the hot favourite to take the Aston Villa job
Houllier exits Villa with £5m pay-off Kelly's sigh at Fulham exit Hughes is in for hot-shot Ings
Fulham fury as Hughes quits
MARK HUGHES is accused of quitting Fulham 24 hours after a verbal 'yes' to staying
Watch out Sparky, Villa door closing Football Confidential live It's NO happy returns for Rafa
By DEAN SCOGGINS
Published: Today
MARK HUGHES walked out on Fulham last night - but the gates of Villa Park remain shut.
He was the favourite for the Aston Villa job but the Midlands club's interest in him has gone cold as they look at other names on their shortlist.
Villa were shocked at how things fell apart with Hughes' contract negotiations at Fulham within 48 hours.
It has made them rethink their recruitment process in the week they parted company with Gerard Houllier.
Carlo Ancelotti is not the man leading the Villa list either - despite him being a hot name with the bookies.
The former Chelsea boss wants a Champions League job and Villa's budget would have to be blown to attract him.
Villa's hitlist has been reduced, with Steve McClaren, Martin Jol, David Moyes and, more surprisingly, Wigan's Roberto Martinez being discussed.
Hughes quit the West London outfit, insisting there had been no contact with Villa and that the Villans job being available had no influence on his decision.
The Midlanders were also adamant they had not approached Hughes at all in the process.
A Villa source said: "The club still have an open mind and are not about to make any rash decisions.
"There is no link between Hughes leaving and Villa whatsoever."
Villa want to continue to do things by the book and will make only official approaches to clubs if they want a manager who is under contract.
The bookies remained convinced Hughes was on his way to Villa Park, as he headed the betting at ridiculously short odds of 1-10.
Insiders at Fulham were talking of how Hughes was set to put pen to paper on a new deal to stay at Craven Cottage, only to head for the exit as soon as it was announced Houllier was leaving due to fears over his health.
Perhaps Hughes tried to force Villa's hand but they are, as yet, unmoved.
The former Manchester United hero's aides say he has other possible options on the table, but a move to Villa would have put him back among football's elite managers.
Hughes is still sore at the way he was sacked by Manchester City.
He believed the Middle Eastern owners when they told him he was the man to build the City project and thought they would be happy with steady progress. But Sheikh Mansour got impatient and turned to Roberto Mancini instead.
Hughes is convinced he could have achieved exactly what Mancini has with the same resources.
There is only so far a club of Fulham's size can go and the eighth-place finish Hughes achieved last season was about the limit.
He was certainly not relishing competing in the pre-qualifying round of the Europa League, which Fulham scrambled into by virtue of topping the Fair Play standings.
Certainly Hughes' statement on leaving Fulham last night smacked of frustration at being stuck at a club with limited prospects and the desire to move on to one with bigger clout.
He said: "As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences.
"I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward. I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand.
"I would also like to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision to leave Fulham hasn't been influenced by any outside party."
There was always a suspicion that Hughes took the Fulham job last summer because he had nowhere else to go at the time.
He moved in when Roy Hodgson joined Liverpool but, soon after, the Villa job came up when Martin O'Neill quit.
Hughes was keen on Villa then - and vice versa - but Sparky was unavailable, so Houllier was given the job.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3615728/Watch-out-Villa-door-is-closing.html#ixzz1OB5ORfvc (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3615728/Watch-out-Villa-door-is-closing.html#ixzz1OB5ORfvc)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1393747/Mark-Hughes-quits-Fulham-insists-Aston-Villa.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1393747/Mark-Hughes-quits-Fulham-insists-Aston-Villa.html)
Hughes walks out on Fulham after just one year to leave door open for switch to Villa
By NEIL MOXLEY
Last updated at 1:10 AM on 3rd June 2011
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Mark Hughes has left his job as Fulham manager.
As revealed by Sportsmail, Hughes allowed a contract deadline to pass without taking up the option of a further year with the west London club.
However, the former Manchester City boss insisted his decision was based solely on what he believed he could achieve at Fulham. He was at pains to point out he had not been in contact with Aston Villa or Chelsea, the two clubs he has been linked with.
Gone: Mark Hughes feels he has taken Fulham as far as he can
Hughes delayed his initial decision on Wednesday night following talks with Fulham chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who asked him to reconsider and who is believed to have offered the 47-year-old a two-year contract.
Hughes said: 'I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences.
On the up: Fulham had an impressive season, eventually finishing eighth
'I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or been approached by another club. This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.'
Fulham will need to find a replacement quickly as the club play in the qualifying round of the Europa League on June 30.
No return: Gerard Houllier has left Aston Villa following his heart scare
Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has assured Mackintosh that no contact has been made with Hughes's agent following Gerard Houllier's departure but the odds on the Welshman managing the Midlands club were cut dramatically last night.
Coincidentally, given that Hughes remains among the favourites to succeed Houllier at Villa Park, former Villa boss Martin O'Neill could be a prime candidate to replace him at Craven Cottage.
More...
Hughes quits Fulham to leave door open for switch to Villa
Hughes' Fulham contract expires as Welshman is linked to Villa hotseat
Aston Villa in the hunt for Fulham boss Hughes as Houllier chases £5m pay-off
All the latest Fulham news, features and opinion
All the latest Aston Villa news, features and opinion
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http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/fulham-specials/next-permanent-manager (http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/fulham-specials/next-permanent-manager)
Odds checker for next Fulham manager
http://aggbot.com/link.php?id=13737556&r=tw&c=43 (http://aggbot.com/link.php?id=13737556&r=tw&c=43)
Mark Hughes's managerial career: the twists and turns
Telegraph Sport looks at the ups and downs experienced by the former Fulham manager during his time spent in the dugout.
Something to shout about: Mark Hughes made his presence felt at Fulham by elevating them up the Premier League table Photo: PA
By Telegraph Staff10:49PM BST 02 Jun 20111 Comment
Wales (1999–2004)
Appointed on a temporary basis alongside Neville Southall to replace Bobby Gould, soon made the job his own as Wales punched above their weight. They almost qualified for Euro 2004, beating Italy in qualifying group but losing to Russia in a play-off.
Games 41
Won 12
Drew 15
Lost 14
Win percentage 29.27
-------------------------------------------------
Blackburn Rovers (2004–2008)
Steered Blackburn away from relegation in his first season and to a first FA Cup semi-final in over 40 years and clinched a top-six place and Uefa Cup qualification the following term. They finished 10th and seventh in subsequent years, but came bottom of the Premier League disciplinary table in all four of Hughes' seasons in charge.
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Green returns as England are exposed 24 May 2011
Games 147
Won 58
Drew 39
Lost 50
Win percentage 39.46
-------------------------------------------------
Manchester City (2008–2009)
Replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson during the turbulent ownership of Thaksin Shinawatra, but found the bar raised considerably with the takeover of the Abu Dhabi United investment group.
City finished 10th during Hughes's first season in charge, and although he recruited such high-profile names as Robinho, Gareth Barry, Wayne Bridge, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure, his failure to forge his side into genuine top-four contenders led to him being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
Games 55
Won 22
Drew 13
Lost 20
Win percentage 40
-------------------------------------------------
Fulham (2010–2011)
Had a difficult act to follow in Roy Hodgson, who had taken Fulham to the Europa League final, but overcame a spate of player injuries to guide the London sideto eighth in the Premier League and back into the Europa League via Fair Play qualification.
Games 38
Won 11
Drew 16
Lost 11
Win percentage 28.95
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-Fulham-news-Martin-Jol-Roberto-Martinez-Steve-McClaren-top-shortlist-after-U-turn-on-suddenly-jobless-Mark-Hughes-and-no-from-Carlo-Ancelotti-article743840.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-Fulham-news-Martin-Jol-Roberto-Martinez-Steve-McClaren-top-shortlist-after-U-turn-on-suddenly-jobless-Mark-Hughes-and-no-from-Carlo-Ancelotti-article743840.html)
Hughes left in limbo as Villa get cold feet
Published 23:02 02/06/11 By Darren Lewis & John Percy
Aston Villa have told Mark Hughes he is OUT of the running to be their next manager – just hours after he quit as Fulham boss.
Villa chairman Randy Lerner dropped the bombshell after deciding to scrap plans to appoint Hughes as Gerard Houllier's successor.
Lerner is believed to have been disturbed by the manner of Hughes' exit from Craven Cottage and the activities of his agent, Kia Joorabchian, over the last 24 hours.
And Villa have since been compiling a new short-list for the post after a cheeky approach for Carlo Ancelotti was rebuffed by the former Chelsea boss.
Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Wigan's Roberto Martinez are expected to feature on Lerner's wish-list, as Everton boss David Moyes is still believed to be out of reach.
Lerner's shock decision to abandon an approach for 47-year-old Hughes leaves the ex-Wales coach in limbo after his dramatic Craven Cottage exit.
Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed is furious with Hughes, claiming the ex-Manchester City boss had "positioned himself for another club" while still negotiating to stay on with the west London side.
Hughes guided Fulham to eighth in the Premier League this season, and back into the Europa League via the Fair Play League, before quitting on Thursday afternoon.
He said in a statement: "I would like to clarify that this decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.
"As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences."
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-Fulham-news-Martin-Jol-Roberto-Martinez-Steve-McClaren-top-shortlist-after-U-turn-on-suddenly-jobless-Mark-Hughes-and-no-from-Carlo-Ancelotti-article743840.html#ixzz1OBAaVcNe (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-Fulham-news-Martin-Jol-Roberto-Martinez-Steve-McClaren-top-shortlist-after-U-turn-on-suddenly-jobless-Mark-Hughes-and-no-from-Carlo-Ancelotti-article743840.html#ixzz1OBAaVcNe)
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Why Mark Hughes could end up looking a fool after abandoning the Fulham players who saved his job
By Darren Lewis in Mirror Football Blog
Published 23:00 02/06/11
Two years ago, he was the victim, furious at being sacked after just half a season at Manchester City.
Six months ago, he was teetering on the brink of a second P45, with Fulham flirting dangerously with relegation.
Indeed, it was the club's senior players that convinced owner Mohamed Al Fayed to back his man after the Boxing Day defeat to West Ham had convinced the Egyptian to sack him.
That loyalty was rewarded yesterday, when Mark Hughes walked away and declared: "I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences."
Those experiences, it appears, will not include working at Aston Villa after the midlands club declared they were not considering him as a replacement for Gerard Houllier.
Hughes' two-year contract - with a mutual opt-out clause after 12 months - expired on Wednesday night and, well aware of Villa's interest, the Welshman walked away from Craven Cottage.
Al Fayed, who gave Hughes a route back into football, has every right to be cheesed off about it.
The Egyptian will probably rue the day he decided to hand Hughes a one-year rolling contract with a mutual option to walk away after just one season.
He may even wish he had sacked Hughes after the 3-1 home defeat to the Hammers and ahead of a trip to Stoke he'd felt his underachieving team had no chance of winning.
The players, though, insisted Hughes had been unlucky with a bad injury that sidelined Bobby Zamora for months and that they'd simply had too many draws.
They then showed their commitment to the Welshman in that very next game by going to the Britannia and pulling off a 2-0 win.
It was their way of showing they were behind a man they felt had encouraged them to shed their small-club tag and become men.
Hughes' way of including all of the staff meant everyone pulled in the same direction.
He put motivational messages up around the training ground and in the dressing room.
The players felt that, although they'd won just three games away from home in the Premier League all season, they were far more offensive and attack-minded than they had been previously.
And while there may be anger and frustration and anger among some sections of the Fulham support, the Europa League place they have secured for next season goes some way to easing the pain.
The problem for the players, however, is that they are back where they were last year when, within a few weeks of reaching the Europa League Final, they lost Roy Hodgson to Liverpool.
Worse, actually, as they are back in training for pre-season on the 22nd of this month for their first Europa League qualifying game.
They will have no manager for that match either, unless Al Fayed gets a shift on, with Martin Jol, Martin O'Neill, Alex McLeish and Carlo Ancelotti the big names in the frame.
Hughes said: "I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.
"I sincerely wish Fulham a successful campaign in the Europa League next season and for their continued progress on and off the field."
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Darren-Lewis-opinion-Why-Mark-Hughes-could-end-up-looking-a-fool-after-abandoning-the-Fulham-players-who-saved-his-job-article743839.html#ixzz1OBAzX9Bk (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Darren-Lewis-opinion-Why-Mark-Hughes-could-end-up-looking-a-fool-after-abandoning-the-Fulham-players-who-saved-his-job-article743839.html#ixzz1OBAzX9Bk)
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Podcast talking about Hughes
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MARK HUGHES: I QUIT!
ABOVE: Mark Hughes' shock decision to quit Fulham has opened the Cottage door for Martin O'Neill I hope supporters will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences
Mark Hughes
3rd June 2011 By Danny Fullbrook
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MARK HUGHES last night sensationally quit as Fulham boss – leaving the way clear for Martin O'Neill to take charge at Craven Cottage.
Mark Hughes walked out after a year with the club claiming he wanted new experiences. But, in a bizarre twist, Starsport understands he is NOT the man Aston Villa want to succeed Gerard Houllier.
Former Manchester City chief Hughes insists he had no contact with Villa or any other club before telling Mohamed Al Fayed he no longer wanted to stay with Fulham.
Now the London club have made former Villa boss O'Neill their top target to lead them into Europa League action next season, and the Irishman is believed to be open to the idea.
Hughes said: "I hope supporters will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences.
"Neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision has not been influenced by any outside party." A club statement said: "Mark has provided notice, under the terms of his contract, to leave the club at the end of June. After discussions with Mark the club has agreed to accept this notice."
As it was not thought Hughes was under any pressure from Al Fayed, and with Villa seemingly not keen, mystery surrounds why Hughes has chosen to leave the club now.
Fulham have wasted no time looking at their own options for next season and O'Neill is the clear preferred choice.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html)
Fulham shocked after manager Mark Hughes quits Craven Cottage after just one year in charge
Fulham reacted with shock last night at the decision of Mark Hughes to tender his resignation and believe the former Manchester City manager went back on a verbal commitment to lead the club into Europe next season.
On the move: Mark Hughes has quit his role as Fulham manager Photo: GETTY IMAGES
By Jeremy Wilson11:30PM BST 02 Jun 201141 Comments
There is also suspicion at Fulham over the timing of Hughes' announcement, which arrived just a day after Gérard Houllier had left Aston Villa by mutual consent.
Hughes, however, had grown frustrated at delays over his new contract, especially after indicating to Fulham some time ago that he was willing to agree one. Sources close to him are also adamant that he did not agree a new deal.
Fulham have now been told by Villa that they do not want Hughes and, according to sources at the Midlands club, they are considering other options that include Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez.
Hughes issued a statement last night in which he stressed that there had been no contact with another club and that his decision was not influenced by "any outside party".
Hughes was on holiday when, at around 5pm, he communicated his decision to Fulham that he wanted to activate a clause that allowed either party to terminate his contract with one month's notice. Until that point, the club had been confident that he would remain at Craven Cottage.
"Everything was fine," said a Fulham source. "Mark had agreed terms and was about to sign. He went on holiday and Gérard Houllier resigns.
"When there was not a job available he seemed willing to sign and everything was done.
"He kept saying that there was a will on both sides to get the deal done. He always alluded to the fact that he was happy. He was planning for next season. It had been agreed verbally.
"The contract had been written and was in the hands of the lawyers. Everything had been done except have it signed. He made it perfectly clear that he was happy.We feel very let down." Villa have also reassured Fulham.
"Aston Villa are saying to us that they are not interested in him," said the source. Hughes' potential new contract would have committed him to Fulham for at least the next two seasons.
He was initially regarded as the first choice to succeed Houllier, but his potential arrival at Villa now seems far from certain. Hughes stressed in his statement that there had been no contact with another club.
He simply alluded to wanting new challenges and it is understood that he simply hopes to progress his career. After guiding Fulham to their second highest Premier League position in finishing eighth and qualifying for the Europa League, there is a sense that he may have taken Fulham as far as they can go without major additional funding.
Hughes could also point to the fact that the decision to have a one-year break clause was agreed mutually last summer and that there was no effort from the club to extend the contract until late in the season.
He grew uneasy about the fact that the break clause could be activated by Fulham. There was also concern over whether Fulham matched his own ambitions, particularly with regard to transfer funding.
"I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences," said Hughes.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.
"I would like to thank the chairman, directors, players and fans of Fulham Football Club for their support over the last 12 months and wish them every success in the future. I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.
"I have especially enjoyed our excellent relationship with the chairman and chief executive [Alastair Mackintosh]. I sincerely wish Fulham a successful campaign in the Europa League next season and for their continued progress on and off the field."
Fulham's statement was rather more succinct.
"Fulham Football Club can confirm that Mark Hughes has provided notice, under the terms of his contract, to leave the club at the end of June. After discussions with Mark the club has agreed to accept this notice."
Fulham have already begun the process of drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements, with Martin Jol, who was their first choice last summer, and Martin O'Neill both expected to figure prominently.
A longer list would include Ancelotti, Steve McClaren and Alan Curbishley. The club are keen to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
The squad returns for pre-season training on June 23 ahead of a Europa League qualifying campaign that is scheduled to begin the following week.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/02/mark-hughes-fulham-aston-villa (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/02/mark-hughes-fulham-aston-villa)
Mark Hughes leaves Fulham but Aston Villa do not want him as manager
• Hughes activates break clause to leave Craven Cottage
• Aston Villa unimpressed by course of events
Stuart James, Jamie Jackson and David Hytner
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 2 June 2011 23.00 BST
Article history
Mark Hughes has been left without a club after leaving Fulham and being linked with Aston Villa. Photograph: Paul Thomas/AP
Mark Hughes will not be the new Aston Villa manager and has been left without a club after walking out on Fulham on Thursday night. The Welshman had been the favourite to succeed Gérard Houllier but Villa, unimpressed with the course of events that culminated in Hughes activating a break clause in his contract and leaving Fulham, have turned their attention elsewhere. Martin Jol and Steve McClaren are at the top of Villa's shortlist.
In a further twist Jol and McClaren, who are out of work and eager to return to employment in the Premier League, will also be leading candidates to take over at Craven Cottage, where Hughes had been expected to sign an improved two-year contract. Martin O'Neill, a former Villa manager, will be another major contender for that post.
Mohamed Al Fayed, the Fulham chairman, was furious after Hughes activated the break clause and tendered his resignation. A Fulham spokesperson said: "The chairman became increasingly annoyed by Mark positioning himself for another club, whilst still negotiating with us, and having agreed terms."
Fayed was, however, ready to extend Hughes's deal. One view from sources at the club is that contract talks with Hughes fell apart when Fulham felt unable to match the fees demanded by his representative, Kia Joorabchian.
Villa's reluctance to move for Hughes comes as something of a surprise. He has been the frontrunner for the Villa post since it emerged this week that Houllier would be stepping down on health grounds. Villa, however, told Fulham that they would not be making an approach for Hughes in the hours before his decision to leave.
The Midlands club have since made it clear that their stance has not changed after Hughes's departure from Fulham. It is understood they would have grave reservations about appointing the former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City manager because of how his departure from Fulham has been handled.
Hughes, who is on holiday in Dubai, said in a statement: "I would like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club. This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."
When Villa parted company with Houllier on Wednesday evening, Fulham believed that Hughes would stay loyal to them, as Fayed had done with him on Boxing Day, when the Craven Cottage crowd had called for Hughes's sacking after a 3-1 home defeat by West Ham United that dropped the club into the relegation zone. Hughes's new contract had even gone to the lawyers, with the terms and conditions agreed, in readiness for his signature.
Yet in the hours that followed Villa's announcement of Houllier's departure, Hughes went cold on Fulham – and nobody at the London club considered the two events to be unrelated. What Fulham could not understand, however, was that Paul Faulkner, the Villa chief executive, had made it clear to Alistair Mackintosh, his counterpart at Craven Cottage, with whom he gets on well, that Villa did not want Hughes. The Welshman, who describes himself as an ambitious young manager, may have taken a leap of faith as there was a deadline of midnight on Wednesday on the activation of his break clause. The clause permits him to walk away from the club as a free agent at the end of June. Premier League rules prevent him or his representative from contacting or being contacted by other clubs until after that.
His back-room entourage, which includes Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Glyn Hodges and Kevin Hitchcock, remain under contract at Fulham for another year, with no break clauses in their deals.
Fulham accepted Hughes's resignation and their impression was that he thought he would get the Villa job, despite the assurances they had received from Faulkner that he would not. Fayed is clear that there is no way back for Hughes at the club. "Roy Hodgson appreciated the club after he had left and [Fayed] believes Mark will do the same," a spokesperson said.
Villa say they have an open mind about filling their vacancy. Speculation that Carlo Ancelotti is among their leading candidates is wide of the mark, however. The former Chelsea manager has not received any contact from Villa and he is known to have no interest in the position. Ancelotti, according to sources close to the Italian, is holding out for a club that can offer Champions League football. Roberto Martínez, the Wigan Athletic manager, has, however, emerged as an outsider for the Villa post.
O'Neill, who has been out of work since leaving Villa last August, is the bookmakers' favourite for the Fulham jobAs well as Jol and McClaren, other names likely to feature on Fulham's shortlist may include Gianfranco Zola, the former West Ham manager, and Chris Hughton, who led Newcastle United back to the Premier League at the first attempt before being sacked in December. Jol had been Fulham's No1 target last summer, ahead of Hughes, and he had wanted to come. He was blocked by his then club, Ajax.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughes-ruled-out-as-new-villa-manager-after-leaving-fulham-2292323.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughes-ruled-out-as-new-villa-manager-after-leaving-fulham-2292323.html)
Hughes ruled out as new Villa manager after leaving Fulham
By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Friday, 3 June 2011
Mark Hughes had been expected to take up the vacant managers role at Villa Park
Mark Hughes is not expected to be appointed the new Aston Villa manager despite having exercised the break clause in his two-year Fulham contract last night to make a surprise departure from the club.
Instead Hughes has taken a gamble that he will be offered a better option this summer after just nine months in charge at Fulham. He denied that any contact had taken place between him or his agent Kia Joorabchian and Villa although it is understood that he has been told that he is no longer at the top of the list for Villa owner Randy Lerner.
Hughes had the break clause written into his deal when he agreed to join Fulham last summer because the club would not match the wages paid to him in his previous job at Manchester City. Since then, Hughes has also been frustrated by the Fulham hierarchy's unwillingness to talk about the money available for transfers this summer.
It means that the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, Steve McClaren and Roberto Martinez are all still possibilities for Villa. There reasons for turning away from Hughes are not yet clear.
Hughes feels in private that he has spent virtually nothing on his team in net terms over the nine months he has been in charge at Fulham. Should he get another job, he will want to take his two key assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki with him - both are on one-year rolling contracts and would require compensation payments to Fulham.
Hughes has always been an awkward fit at Fulham despite eventually taking the club to an eighth place finish and a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play table. Last summer he had misgivings about the difficult task of following Roy Hodgson's success in reaching the Europa League final the season before and did not relocate his family to the south when he took the Fulham job.
He would have much preferred the Villa job last summer then but the timing of Martin O'Neill's abrupt departure meant that he had already signed a contract at Craven Cottage by the time the opportunity came up.
In the last two weeks, Fulham had attempted to persuade Hughes to sign a new contract but had come to realise that was a hopeless task as it became obvious that other jobs, including those at Villa, were likely to present themselves during the summer.
Hughes' departure means that Fulham must now begin the search for a new manager with O'Neill, Carlo Ancelotti, Alan Curbishley, Claudio Ranieri, Martin Jol and Steve McClaren all in the frame. The former Fulham midfielder Lee Clark, now Huddersfield Town manager, who missed out on promotion to the Championship in the League One play-off final last month is an outside bet for the job
Houllier's admission that medical tests had shown he would not be fit to manage Villa until September prompted the club to seek a way out of their deal with the Frenchman on Wednesday. As it became clear over the last two months that he would not be able to resume duties this summer they were forced to examine their options elsewhere.
In a bold statement that did not details any of his private frustrations with the club, Hughes told the Fulham supporters that there was no other motive in his decision to leave the club other than seeking new "experiences". He said: "I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club. This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."
Hughes cannot take up a role at another club in an official capacity until his notice runs out at the end of this month, Fulham said last night. He had effectively become a free agent yesterday when the break clause in his contract was triggered.
Quote from: RidgeRider on June 03, 2011, 04:29:17 AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html)
"Everything was fine," said a Fulham source. "Mark had agreed terms and was about to sign. He went on holiday and Gérard Houllier resigns.
"When there was not a job available he seemed willing to sign and everything was done.
"He kept saying that there was a will on both sides to get the deal done. He always alluded to the fact that he was happy. He was planning for next season. It had been agreed verbally.
"The contract had been written and was in the hands of the lawyers. Everything had been done except have it signed. He made it perfectly clear that he was happy.We feel very let down." Villa have also reassured Fulham.
"Aston Villa are saying to us that they are not interested in him," said the source. Hughes' potential new contract would have committed him to Fulham for at least the next two seasons.
I knew he was full of 099.gif! I am so disappointed and let down by this clown! He has something up his sleeve or he wouldn't have quit. I seriously wish this clown nothing but ill will! Whenever he goes I hope he gets sacked and booed off the pitch!
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/timmy%E2%80%99s-suggested-successor-roberto-martinez/ (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/timmy%E2%80%99s-suggested-successor-roberto-martinez/)
Timmy's suggested successor: Roberto Martinez
Filed under: General — timmyg @ 2:08 am
With all the FIFA shenanigns last week, and now Hughes leaving us high and dry, my passion if not sheer interest in the sport is seriously being tested. But thankfully I have all you guys and gals.
But it should be said I'm not surprised Hughes left. Frustrated, but not shocked. It makes sense: we came to him late, he added the one-year-get-out clause because he had the leverage, managed a successful season all things considered, and is now gone for another "challenge". Hmph. You may be right, but piss off.
So, here's my random shortlist to replace Hughes. All are good I suppose, except one, but Martinez is my guy.
Martin Jol – It's not still July 2010 is it? It's a little disconcerting that Jol quit Ajax in December, and the club went on to win the Eredivisie title. But there's been quite a lot of politicking going on in Amsterdam, even before Johan Cruyff took the reins in February, so perhaps he had enough? I've written about him in the past, and stick with what I said then.
Roberto Di Matteo – Di Matteo was in the process of taking West Brom down, but they put up some impressive results en route. Everyone felt sorry for the Portugese gaffer after his sacking in February, but understood the firing once Roy Hodgson was appointed. (When a man of Roy's caliber is available for a club like West Brom, you make that move. I think had Brum not made the Carling Cup final, they too would have done the same to McLeish). Roy sure managed to turn things around, but West Brom's problem was a great offense and poor defense (the latter of which Roy excels at changing). Fulham have a great defense and unreliable offense. Could be a good fit.
Ian Holloway – Equally eccentric as our Chairman. Could be a volatile combination, could be the perfect elixir. Took Blackpool down, but Blackpool had the lowest payroll in the history of the EPL. (I just made that stat up, but it's perfectly believable, no?) Like with Di Matteo, could use some defensive schooling, but going forward there's much to like.
Martin O'Neill – Stop it. After falling out with one of the most hands-off owners in sports, why would O'Neill get along with our crazy chairman? Plus, Hughes at least left us after the season ended, not 5 days before it started.
Luigi "Gigi" Delneri – We're in dreamland here, but this man led recently relegated Sampdoria to an undefeated home record in 2009-10 and a place in the Champions League Qualifiers. He's also taken Chievo Verona and Palermo to the UEFA Cup. Are any of those two and/or Sampdoria that much different than us? Sure, his time at Juventus was nothing to gloat about, but the managerial attrition rate at all the "big" Italian clubs is absurd (Juve is on their 5th coach in 3 seasons alone). Not to mention he's coached at practically every club in Italy, so perhaps he'd like a crack at the EPL. My only concern about his track record is that, is if this did happen by some magical chance, he'd leave after a year. Hmm.
Brian McDermott – Unfortunately he's still quite unproven. But he did take Reading, now a shell of its EPL self, from relegation candidates to Playoff Runners-up in about 17 months. Great guy. Great work.
Roberto Martinez – I don't know if this would be the best hire per se, but I'd certainly be very pleased with it. Considering their Jeckyl and Hyde nature, he pulled off a miracle with Wigan two years running so just think what he could do with a well-rounded squad (and for a club with fans.) Martinez has signed some flops, but that's often the result of constantly searching for bargains. He's extremely intelligent yet unassuming, friendly yet genuine; Fulham embodied, no? If Rich suggests we attack another dog, Wigan is the perfect pooch to go. I don't normally like to subscribe to such logic, but, seriously, where else can that club go? Their star player N'Zogbia is presumably a goner. Their goalie went back to Bolton on loan. I have a hunch Hugo Rodallega may get scooped up by a club on the continent this summer. Sorry, but they're dead anyway.
So please come, Roberto.
Quote from: Tom on June 03, 2011, 04:39:08 AM
Quote from: RidgeRider on June 03, 2011, 04:29:17 AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html)
"Everything was fine," said a Fulham source. "Mark had agreed terms and was about to sign. He went on holiday and Gérard Houllier resigns.
"When there was not a job available he seemed willing to sign and everything was done.
"He kept saying that there was a will on both sides to get the deal done. He always alluded to the fact that he was happy. He was planning for next season. It had been agreed verbally.
"The contract had been written and was in the hands of the lawyers. Everything had been done except have it signed. He made it perfectly clear that he was happy.We feel very let down." Villa have also reassured Fulham.
"Aston Villa are saying to us that they are not interested in him," said the source. Hughes' potential new contract would have committed him to Fulham for at least the next two seasons.
I knew he was full of 099.gif! I am so disappointed and let down by this clown!
This one really hit me too. I agree with you. Read the blog entry by the Lewis fellow. He thinks Hughes may have really gaffed this.
http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,18305_6963858,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,18305_6963858,00.html)
Interview of Tony Gale and Alan Mullery on Fulham and Mark Hughes, what's next.....
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/06/marking_time.php (http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/06/marking_time.php)
Ten months was enough for Mark Hughes. The man admits he's itching to prove his worth in top flight management, Fulham it seems have served their purpose.
And that leaves us for the second summer running scouting the horizon for a new management team. A quote from the chairman will be interesting when it comes. You can't stand in the way of any individual's ambition, but Hughes departure inside a year after a fine first season is sure to leave a sour taste. There's no escaping the impression that Fulham have just been used as a stepping stone.
The early quotes coming from the Hughes corner that his decision has 'not been influenced by any third party' should be taken as mere window dressing for the benefit of lawyers. Who leaves a highly paid job on a whim, without knowing where they're headed next? Sky's been working themselves into a lather ever since Lerner caught sight of Houllier's cardiogram and called him a cab pronto, but I've had a hunch for weeks that Sparky was stalling on another contract in the hope Chelsea came calling. I blogged it in fact. Let's see if the packed bags indeed make just a short hop across the borough, rather than being put on the train up to Birmingham.
Aston Villa fer chrissakes??!!! Airheads keep popping up to say Villa are a big club with tradition. During the time of the Kaiser maybe. Get real. They fluked a European Cup win in 82, and came 2nd behind Man U in the inaugural Prem season of '92. They've not threatened since, despite huge support in Britain's 2nd city and a revenue stream lesser clubs can only dream of. Is Hughes really destined for a club that wound up below Fulham in the league, are about to lose their outstanding talent in Ashley Young, and have a number of old men in the side? Oh, and don't mention the Europa League.
But let's concern ourselves with what matters. The future of our great over-achieving club. By luck or design Hughes leaves us in pretty good shape on the playing front. There will be no shortage of quality candidates eager to inherit what's been built up over the past 3 seasons. Fulham represents a great challenge to tempt even the most illustrious of names from world football. By my reckoning the club should be raising £10 mill in the market from deadwood to be cleared out over the summer, and with the placement money for coming 8th plus the additional revenues arriving with another European campaign, it's feasible to see the new gaffer wrangling the same amount again from the chairman to strengthen the squad.
OK, a £20 million pound transfer kitty barely raises a ripple in the Prem pool of bigger fish. Man City I believe have earmarked a similar amount to account for Balotelli's parking fines and silly hats, but if invested shrewdly, could well see Fulham marching on to even greater heights. My estimation? We need a proven goalscorer to supplement BZ. Take a chance on Shane Long or Craig M-S (the P'boro lad)? We must plan now for the midfield playmaker to fill Danny's boots. If Adam is out of our league go for O'Hara. Probably gonna need another left-back.
What nationality our new manager has will have a bearing on where we find our fresh blood. It's inevitable, should it be Jol, expect a few Dutchmen. But I don't think Jol will be asked a 2nd time. We'll see, and feel free to let me hear your suggestions. No votes for Avram Grant please!
Hughes only has to look towards Hodgson's embattled time at Liverpool in the run up to Christmas to realise how quickly all his dreams could turn to dust. Regular Fulham commentator Tony Gale has already flagged this up on Sky Sports. We've learnt more about Hughes today with this decision than we did throughout his 10 months at the helm. Enigmatic and often downbeat, there was indeed passion and a heart beating beneath the red tracksuit. But it was the desire to see Mr. Mark Hughes make the bigtime in management, rather than the quixotic dream of lifting a European trophy on behalf of Fulham that motivated Roy.
And to think I was planning a blog today on the shenanigans at Fifa. That can wait. After all, what have we learnt from the past week? As events unfolded it reminded me of the Great Train Robbery in 1963. No sooner had the gang got the loot back to their farmhouse hideout, than they started falling out with each other. As Fifa itself is such a den of thieves, it was inevitable once someone started blowing the whistle, the game would be up. If Blatter thinks he got away with it with his unopposed re-election, he's wrong. The world media who witnessed his erratic press conference will hound him from here on. Having the 88-year-old Henry Kissinger along will help him not one bit - unless Sepp opts for the nuclear option...
Keep the faith Fulham fans. Have trust in the board to make the right appointment, and let's go into the new season with confidence. To finish - here's hoping we see the majestic Zamora in action this Saturday. If so, I shall be blogging again (this is supposed to be my off-season too)!
Twitter@fulhamphil
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553679/Mark-Hughes-may-have-quit-Craven-Cottage-because-he-feels-Fulham-do-not-match-his-own-lofty-ambition.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553679/Mark-Hughes-may-have-quit-Craven-Cottage-because-he-feels-Fulham-do-not-match-his-own-lofty-ambition.html?)
Mark Hughes may have quit Craven Cottage because he feels Fulham do not match his own lofty ambition
For Fulham, it was simply a resignation statement. Yet for the wider footballing world, it was an extraordinarily bold statement of intent.
Mark Hughes's observation last night that he wanted to "further my experiences" was a sentence that oozed ambition and self-confidence.
He was, after all, turning his back on a club who are becoming established in the top half of the Premier League and are preparing for a second assault on Europe in three years.
There are few better opportunities out there and that is why so many will struggle to believe the strenuous denials from all sides last night of a potential deal with Aston Villa.
It was no secret that, having agreed to join Fulham, he was among the contenders for the Villa job last summer and there was a sense in football that he may have jumped too quickly at the opportunity that presented itself at Craven Cottage.
From Hughes's point of view, the decision of Fulham to then give him a one-year contract with the option on both sides of another season hardly represented a resounding vote of confidence. When the team flirted with the relegation zone during the first half of the season, there was a sense that Fulham were more likely to exercise the 'break' clause than Hughes.
So when Hughes did then get his key players back — particularly Bobby Zamora — and then oversaw a climb back up the table, he would perhaps have felt that the club were only prepared to show their faith in the good times.
Bayern Munich were among the clubs to check on his contract situation over recent months and it is understood that he became frustrated by the progress of contract talks with Fulham. He also wanted a clear idea of whether sufficient funds really would be forthcoming to invest and improve the squad.
Questions were certainly being asked last night by the club's supporters at just how they could lose a good manager without compensation. Yet there was also considerable anger directed towards Hughes and a sense that he had simply used the club as a stepping stone.
Fulham believe that it was not realistic for them to have instigated fresh contract talks when the club were fighting relegation and say that it was entirely appropriate for them to wait until the near end of the season before beginning negotiations.
They can argue that they showed faith in Hughes. Whereas he has certainly taken a major risk. If he really is not the first-choice of Aston Villa then there are few guarantees that other major clubs will share his apparent high view of himself.
Hughes was certainly hugely successful both with Wales and Blackburn Rovers. In five years as an international manager, he took them to the brink of qualifying for a major international tournament for the first time since 1958.
He then stabilised Blackburn at a time when they looked destined for relegation and guided them to three cup semi-finals and a finish of seventh. His time at Manchester City is more open to debate.
True, the manner of Hughes's sacking was clumsy, but was the actual decision to make a managerial change really so outrageous?
Hughes, after all, had inherited a team that finished ninth in the league under Sven-Goran Eriksson. Over the space of 18 months he spent more than £200 million, yet finished 10th in 2008-09 and, at the time Roberto Mancini was offered his job, City were eighth and still closer to the bottom half of the table than the top four.
Mancini, who had previously won seven trophies in seven years with Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan, has surely gone on to vindicate the change by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
Yet, at a time when we hear that British coaches are not given enough opportunities at clubs with the potential to qualify for the Champions League, it is also possible to admire Hughes's ambition.
Other talented managers have got themselves caught in a vicious cycle at clubs where there is a ceiling on what is realistically possible. Their careers have then suffered when the fortunes of that club has inevitably dipped.
By moving at the end of a successful season, Hughes may have been ahead of the curve. He is at least trying to make things happen.
But, by making such a ruthless decision, he has surely also taken the biggest gamble of his career.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/8553119/Fulham-shocked-after-manager-Mark-Hughes-quits-Craven-Cottage-after-just-one-year-in-charge.html)
Fulham shocked after manager Mark Hughes quits Craven Cottage after just one year in charge
Fulham reacted with shock last night at the decision of Mark Hughes to tender his resignation and believe the former Manchester City manager went back on a verbal commitment to lead the club into Europe next season.
There is also suspicion at Fulham over the timing of Hughes' announcement, which arrived just a day after Gérard Houllier had left Aston Villa by mutual consent.
Hughes, however, had grown frustrated at delays over his new contract, especially after indicating to Fulham some time ago that he was willing to agree one. Sources close to him are also adamant that he did not agree a new deal.
Fulham have now been told by Villa that they do not want Hughes and, according to sources at the Midlands club, they are considering other options that include Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez.
Hughes issued a statement last night in which he stressed that there had been no contact with another club and that his decision was not influenced by "any outside party".
Hughes was on holiday when, at around 5pm, he communicated his decision to Fulham that he wanted to activate a clause that allowed either party to terminate his contract with one month's notice. Until that point, the club had been confident that he would remain at Craven Cottage.
"Everything was fine," said a Fulham source. "Mark had agreed terms and was about to sign. He went on holiday and Gérard Houllier resigns.
"When there was not a job available he seemed willing to sign and everything was done.
"He kept saying that there was a will on both sides to get the deal done. He always alluded to the fact that he was happy. He was planning for next season. It had been agreed verbally.
"The contract had been written and was in the hands of the lawyers. Everything had been done except have it signed. He made it perfectly clear that he was happy.We feel very let down." Villa have also reassured Fulham.
"Aston Villa are saying to us that they are not interested in him," said the source. Hughes' potential new contract would have committed him to Fulham for at least the next two seasons.
He was initially regarded as the first choice to succeed Houllier, but his potential arrival at Villa now seems far from certain. Hughes stressed in his statement that there had been no contact with another club.
He simply alluded to wanting new challenges and it is understood that he simply hopes to progress his career. After guiding Fulham to their second highest Premier League position in finishing eighth and qualifying for the Europa League, there is a sense that he may have taken Fulham as far as they can go without major additional funding.
Hughes could also point to the fact that the decision to have a one-year break clause was agreed mutually last summer and that there was no effort from the club to extend the contract until late in the season.
He grew uneasy about the fact that the break clause could be activated by Fulham. There was also concern over whether Fulham matched his own ambitions, particularly with regard to transfer funding.
"I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences," said Hughes.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.
"I would like to thank the chairman, directors, players and fans of Fulham Football Club for their support over the last 12 months and wish them every success in the future. I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward.
"I have especially enjoyed our excellent relationship with the chairman and chief executive [Alastair Mackintosh]. I sincerely wish Fulham a successful campaign in the Europa League next season and for their continued progress on and off the field."
Fulham's statement was rather more succinct.
"Fulham Football Club can confirm that Mark Hughes has provided notice, under the terms of his contract, to leave the club at the end of June. After discussions with Mark the club has agreed to accept this notice."
Fulham have already begun the process of drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements, with Martin Jol, who was their first choice last summer, and Martin O'Neill both expected to figure prominently.
A longer list would include Ancelotti, Steve McClaren and Alan Curbishley. The club are keen to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
The squad returns for pre-season training on June 23 ahead of a Europa League qualifying campaign that is scheduled to begin the following week.
http://www.chelseadaft.org/2011/06/mark-hughes-as-late-candidate-for.html? (http://www.chelseadaft.org/2011/06/mark-hughes-as-late-candidate-for.html?)
Mark Hughes as a late candidate for Chelsea Manager?
After quitting Fulham yesterday, Mark Hughes had been installed last night as 8-1 for the Chelsea manager's job. I am not so sure. Everything is pointing to Guus Hiddink coming back to Chelsea after tonight's game between Turkey and Belgium and I still predict that will be the case, but can we rule Hughes out of the running as easily as that?.
Hughes left Fulham out of the blue you have to say and claims that there has been no contact with any other club. As part of the agreement with him leaving Fulham, he is unable to speak to any other club until 1st July. Chelsea's first pre season game against Vitesse is on 9th July so he would only have a short period of time working with the players.
I have to say being honest, I am not surprised he left Fulham and that's no disrespect from me to our neighbours, but because of what he said in his press conference when he took over there. He said:
'I made the decision that this is the right club for me at this time".
I thought at the time it seemed a little bit harsh and that he wouldn't be there for long and we have been proved right. I know some Fulham fans and one in particular who never really took to him but he managed to get Fulham an eighth place finish in the League and back into the Europa League so you have to be honest and say it's been a decent/good season.
The thing is where does he go from here?. All press and media coverage of the news that broke yesterday have him heading to Villa Park to take over but Villa have denied that he is a "candidate" for their job. Could they just be saying that because of the clause that he is unable to speak to anyone until 1st July and if he does now it looks like they have tapped him up?.
Or, could coming to Chelsea be a realistic possibility?. Maybe a dream partnership of Hughes with Zola has his Assistant could be on Chelsea fan's minds this morning?. Hughes tends to take Mark Bowen with him everywhere he goes so maybe it wouldn't happen anyway.
I can't help to think that if you are a manager who wants to become successful and established within your own right, especially if you have stepped into management after playing the game at a substantial level, then why would you not be interested in coming to Chelsea and apply for the job?.
Do we honestly believe that Mark Hughes would apply to Roman Abramovich about becoming our manager and do we think he would be successful here?. What do you think of his managerial career so far and could he get the best out of our players? He would certainly command the respect of the players and I think the majority of Chelsea fans would welcome his appointment.
What do you think? Are we to take "reports" of Hughes to Chelsea seriously?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/06/mark_hughes_was_the_victim.html (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/06/mark_hughes_was_the_victim.html)
Hughes must prove staying power
Mark Hughes was the victim of Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook's infamous "trajectory of results" when he was shown the door at Eastlands and replaced within a matter of minutes by Roberto Mancini.
Hughes nursed an acute sense of injustice, shared by many observers inside and outside City, and public humiliation when he took charge of the 4-3 win against Sunderland in December 2009 with the word already out that his time was up as soon as the final whistle sounded.
The 47-year-old is walking away from Fulham with that same trajectory on an upward curve after a season in which he heard demands for his dismissal at Craven Cottage before a strong conclusion rebuilt his reputation and earned a place in the Europa League via the Fair Play standings.
Hughes, in a statement met with heavy cynicism, insisted his decision to activate a break clause in his two-year contract had not been prompted by the intervention of "an outside party" after Gerard Houllier left Aston Villa on health grounds only 24 hours earlier.
It may well be, though, that the bitterness Hughes felt at the manner in which he was sacked at City hardened his belief that it is every man for himself in Premier League management and if a faster train is about to pull up at the platform, he will jump aboard.
The dust has not yet settled on Villa's decision to part company with Houllier, or indeed where Hughes' next destination might be, but it is clear the Welshman believes he is on the way to bigger and better things.
In his eventful time at Eastlands, during which the Abu Dhabi riches rolled up at the door, Cook also claimed Hughes had been hit by what he described as "bowling ball syndrome" - namely when you opened a cupboard one of these painful objects landed on your head.
This was not literally true of course. Cook meant that Hughes had occasionally been underminded by events that were unexpected and beyond his control. Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed must have felt like he had been hit by a 16-ton weight when it became clear his manager was leaving on Thursday.
Hughes may well be, in his own words, "a young ambitious manager" but he is now getting a reputation as a nomadic one. He is leaving Fulham after spells in charge of Wales, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and now a new home. Whether this is Villa Park remains to be seen, with sources in the Midlands insisting owner Randy Lerner wants to explore the possibility of landing sacked former Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti before committing himself to any move for Hughes.
It is tough on Fulham, who stood by Hughes amid the early turmoil and who lost Roy Hodgson to Liverpool this time last year. Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who worked with Hughes at City, runs a tight ship but there is no doubt Hughes' departure will come as a destabilising blow.
And it takes quite a leap of the imagination to believe Hughes has burned his boats so comprehensively at Craven Cottage without being certain another post would present itself in the very near future.
Hughes and his trusted team of right-hand man Mark Bowen, Kevin Hitchcock and Eddie Niedzwiecki have proved to be an effective and tight-knit unit. They have are adept at organising a team and uniting a dressing room - which may prove a key element if they do take over at Villa after the public disharmony of the Houllier era.
Villa is also a team in danger of seeing important elements breaking up, with England pair Ashley Young and Stewart Downing hinting strongly they may see their future elsewhere. This will be a top priority on the agenda of their new manager and a crucial early test.
It will need a powerful character, a criteria Hughes fulfils perfectly but credentials also high on Ancelotti's CV after a coaching career managing high-profile personalities on the pitch and in the boardroom.
Lerner will make his choice carefully after being caught out by O'Neill's departure just days before the start of last season and the turbulence of Houllier's tenure that was eventually ended after he suffered heart problems. Hughes has to serve a month's notice under the terms of his contract and Lerner is certain to use that time to explore every option before alighting on his final choice.
Hughes is also under pressure once he takes his next post. He needs to demonstrate he can put down roots and show he can establish a management model and stick with it for the long-term.
His fate at Manchester City was out of his hands but he willingly walked away from Blackburn and Fulham - wherever he goes he has to show his capability to fashion a vision that he will stick with over a number of years.
He must ensure the trajectory of results heads skywards and keep it there.
http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/hughes-departure-sparks-speculation? (http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/hughes-departure-sparks-speculation?)
Hughes departure sparks speculation
Mark Hughes resigned as Fulham manager on Thursday despite having agreed terms on a new contract with the club.
Hughes' decision to activate a break clause in the two-year deal he signed with Fulham last summer will fuel speculation of a move to managerless Aston Villa. According to a source close to the club, owner Mohamed Al Fayed believed Hughes was positioning himself for a move while negotiating and finalising the terms of a new deal with Fulham.
Al Fayed is said to have grown "increasingly annoyed" with Hughes and did not oppose his request to leave at the end of June, having served a month's notice.
But Hughes, in announcing his decision to leave Craven Cottage after one season at the helm, insisted he had not been in talks with any other club.
"I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences,'' said Hughes.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
"This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party."
Hughes, 47, is the bookmakers' favourite to replace Gerard Houllier at Villa Park, although the Midlands club are believed to be interested in former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Press Association Sport understands that Hughes' departure from Fulham has "no connection" with the Villa vacancy. Any club that might want him will have to wait.
The Welshman's notice at Craven Cottage expires on June 30, the same day Fulham are scheduled to play the first Europa League qualifying round. Fulham have confirmed that, even if a new manager has not been appointed by the end of the month, Hughes will not take charge of that game.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/sport/Eagles-step-bid-bring-KG-Selhurst/article-3622194-detail/article.html? (http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/sport/Eagles-step-bid-bring-KG-Selhurst/article-3622194-detail/article.html?)
Eagles will step up bid to bring KG back to Selhurst
CRYSTAL Palace will renew their interest in Fulham's Kagisho Dikgacoi this summer.
The South African impressed while on loan at Selhurst Park at the back end of last season.
However, a permanent move for the 26-year-old appeared a non-starter with Dikgacoi stating his determination to win a first team spot at Craven Cottage.
But the Eagles remain very interested in persuading the powerful midfielder - known as KG - his future lies at Selhurst Park.
"KG at Fulham is one we are looking to get back here," confirmed Palace's assistant boss Lennie Lawrence. "We are keen and will look to do something when the teams come back in July.
"Things are complicated slightly by the fact that Fulham are now in the Europa League which may mean they want to keep hold of him."
Centre midfield is an area the Eagles are badly in need of strengthening with Lawrence admitting the chances of Neil Danns remaining a Palace player are now almost over.
"We would love Neil to stay and the offer remains on the table. But in reality it looks like he's going," he said. "I haven't heard he has definitely signed for anyone else yet, but it is looking that way.
"I think he's hoping to get a smaller Premier League club and I think that may well be the case."
Charlton's out of contract Portuguese star Jose Semedo remains another target.
Manager Dougie Freedman has previously distanced himself from a move for the 26-year-old, but the Advertiser understands Palace are interested in the tough-tackling midfielder.
Young Dundee winger Craig Forsyth is close to agreeing a deal to move south, but a swoop for fellow Scot, Craig Conway is looking less likely with several high profile clubs circling the Dundee United winger.
Forsyth is currently away on holiday but a compensation package in the region of £100,000 has been agreed between the two clubs and personal terms should be thrashed out when he returns from his summer break in two weeks' time.
"We are looking to improve all over the pitch," said Lawrence. "We want to improve the level of players we have next year.
"The budget is and will remain competitive.
"There is money available but we have to be responsible and we don't want to just throw it away.
"We will always do what's best for the club."
http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/06/03/zamora-can-star-for-england-says-former-fulham-boss-64767-28814087/? (http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/fulham-fc-ealing/2011/06/03/zamora-can-star-for-england-says-former-fulham-boss-64767-28814087/?)
Zamora can star for England, says former Fulham boss
EX FULHAM boss Chris Coleman believes Fabio Capello should have no qualms about deploying Bobby Zamora as a lone striker for England.
Zamora is in the national squad for Saturday's Euro qualifier against Switzerland and although he is likely to start on the bench, with Darren Bent getting the nod, Zamora may have a chance to pick up where he left off with England at the start of last season.
Injury cruelly robbed him of the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place soon after he made his debut against Hungary as a second half sub in August 2010.
Only a lack of fitness prevented him from being in the frame for the World Cup squad a month before then as well and he made a good impression in his first outing.
Coleman, who as an accomplished international defender in his time knows a thing or two about what makes a good striker, said: "He's a really good player Bobby and I'm glad he's got another chance.
"He was desperately unlucky to get injured last year and it was a real blow for Fulham, but also for his hopes of playing for England.
"I do think he's good enough to play for England regularly and is good enough to occupy two centre halves as a lone striker if [boss] Fabio Capello goes with a 4-3-3."
Martin O'Neill favourite for Fulham job
MARTIN O'Neill has emerged as the early frontunner to become the new Fulham boss.
The Northern Irishman has been out of work since quitting Aston Villa last summer, and is the bookies' favourite at 5/2 to replace Mark Hughes at Craven Cottage.
Ajax manager Martin Jol, who almost took over in SW6 last year, is hot on his heels at 3/1, with former England chief Steve McClaren (6/1) in third.
Ex-Fulham midfielder Lee Clark is at 9/1, while Carlo Ancelotti (10/1) is an outside bet.
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/martin-o-neill-favourite-for-fulham-job-82029-28814063/?#ixzz1OCLAosdT (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/martin-o-neill-favourite-for-fulham-job-82029-28814063/?#ixzz1OCLAosdT)
http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_7863_everton-club-focus-moyes-to-aston-villa-rumours-continue-as-toffees-search-for-a-striker.html? (http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_7863_everton-club-focus-moyes-to-aston-villa-rumours-continue-as-toffees-search-for-a-striker.html?)
Everton Club Focus - Moyes to Aston Villa rumours continue as Toffees search for a striker
Rumours linking David Moyes with the managerial vacancy at Aston Villa have dogged Everton's start to the summer, with the departure of Gerard Houllier only adding to the gossip surrounding the Toffees' boss. Former Fulham manager Mark Hughes is the bookmakers' favourite but Moyes is as short as 10/1 with some outlets.
Moyes was reportedly in Villa's sights last August when Martin O'Neill resigned, but following Houllier's decision to step down, the Scot's name is again being mentioned in connection with the Villa Park outfit. A local newspaper poll found Moyes to be the supporters' choice, with 42% of respondents favouring the 48-year-old ahead of ex-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and the apparent choice, former Manchester United striker Hughes. Hughes received only 6.8% of votes, hardly a ringing endorsement, but with his resignation from Fulham yesterday, the Welshman would be a more straightforward option. Moyes is under a long-term deal at Goodison Park and Everton would demand hefty compensation should he wish to move to the Midlands, although the indications are Moyes is no more interested in the position this summer- than he was last autumn- when he publicly distanced himself from the role.
The tittle-tattle over Moyes' future has threatened to obscure Everton's transfer business. With only James Vaughan having left, and fees yet to be agreed with suitors of Joseph Yobo and Yakubu, Everton are still working on one of the tightest budgets in the Premier League. Loan deals and free transfers appear the most likely route for Everton, although a £9m move for Lille forward Gervinho was strongly mooted in numerous publications this week. Quite where Everton would find £9m going spare was not explained in any of the stories linking the Ivory Coast international with a move to Merseyside - although it is possible the Everton board have provided Moyes with more funds than anyone expects - but the most telling aspect of the transfer rumours around Everton is that most of the players mentioned are forwards. The most recent addition to that list is Miroslav Klose who has been released by Bayern Munich this week.
The Liverpool Echo this week said Everton are not interested in Jay Bothroyd, the England international who left Cardiff City at the end of the season, as it is not felt he is of higher quality than the strikers currently at the club. However, as much as Everton need an injection of quality into their forward line, an injection of quantity is a close second. Jermaine Beckford, Victor Anichebe and Louis Saha are the only senior strikers on the Blues' books, assuming Yakubu moves on, and with Beckford the owner of only a season of Premier League experience, Anichebe an inconsistent and frustrating presence and Saha frail as ever, the ranks are a little thin. Replicating last summer's gamble on Beckford with a move for Bothroyd would have at least given Moyes another option for little financial risk. Beckford eventually adapted to the top flight and Bothroyd has many years of Championship football behind him, which Beckford did not, but it appears Everton's search for a striker will run almost as long as the stories linking Moyes to Villa.
http://www.shoot.co.uk/news/latest_article/C48/premier_league/oneill_for_fulham/? (http://www.shoot.co.uk/news/latest_article/C48/premier_league/oneill_for_fulham/?)
O'NEILL FOR FULHAM?
The managerial situation at Fulham has taken more unexpected twists with Mark Hughes quitting the club.
Hughes, who was out of contract, had been linked with a move to Villa. But the former Wales boss said there had been no approach from Villa Park.
Then Hughes quit Craven Cottage, despite reports that he had been offered a new deal.
Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who quit Villa on the eve of last season, was immediately made favourite for the Cottagers' hot-seat.
Axed Chelsea gaffer Carlo Ancelotti, who has said he would love to stay in the Premier League, is now the hot favourite to take over at Villa. Former Spurs gaffer Martin Jol is also in the frame, along with Everton's David Moyes.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6964195,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6964195,00.html?)
McLeish in Fulham frame
Blues boss could replace Hughes at Craven Cottage
Skysports.com understands Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has emerged as a candidate for the vacant managerial post at Fulham
Fulham are on the lookout for a new boss after Mark Hughesquit Craven Cottage on Thursday following the expiration of his contract.
A number of names have been linked with the role at Fulham, including Martin O'Neill and Martin Jol, but McLeish is thought to be in the running.
McLeish's future at Birmingham has been the subject of speculation for some time amid reports of strained relations with the club's board.
Birmingham's board backed McLeish in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League, but have put pressure on him to win promotion at the first time of asking.
McLeish remains a highly respected boss, despite Birmingham's relegation, after leading them to Carling Cup success with victory over Arsenal and a place in Europe next season.
The 52-year-old has a wealth of experience having managed Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland prior to taking over at St Andrew's.
McLeish could be attracted by a move back to the Premier League if Fulham come calling for his services.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/03/football-transfer-rumours? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jun/03/football-transfer-rumours?)
Football transfer rumours: Who will fill Fulham and Villa's hotseats?
Today's fluff and guff has made a huge mistake
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/6/3/1307088711344/Mark-Hughes-007.jpg)
'D'oh'. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images
Before we start, a minute's silence for the death of Mark Hughes's career.
Stop laughing. It's not funny. Not funny at all.
Although the Daily Mail, as on the ball as ever, reports that Hughes is free to talk to Aston Villa, in the same way that Piers Morgan is free to stop Being Piers Morgan, the Mill knows that's not the case. Randy Lerner wants nothing to do with the manager who immediately activated a break clause in his Fulham contract upon hearing that Gérard Houllier had left Villa Park. Only to find out that Villa have absolutely no intention of hiring the man who spent £18m on Roque Santa Cruz. Hughes will spend the rest of the day on the phone to Mohammed Al Fayed trying to convince him that whole break clause thingy was just a practical joke and he's not really leaving Fulham and he'll be in bright and early on Monday morning and, oh God, he's just gone and bought a house in Aston and what the hell is he going to tell the wife now?
So anyway there's a job going at Villa, with Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Roberto Martínez in the frame. Carlo Ancelotti wants to go to a club in the Champions League though. Chelsea sounds fun. Fulham also need a new manager now - oh Sparky! - and Villa's former manager, Martin O'Neill, is the early frontrunner. Fulham are also eyeing up Jol and McClaren, not to mention Nice Chris Hughton and Nice Gianfranco Zola. But not Mark Hughes. No one wants Mark Hughes.
Bored with repeatedly linking Cesc Fábregas to Barcelona, this morning the tabloids have broken with tradition and are ignoring the story completely.
Arsenal have told Real Madrid that they won't be getting Cesc for anything less than £54m.
If Fábregas does go, Arsène Wenger, lurching deeper and deeper into self-parody, will spend a whopping £4m to bring West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemwingie to the Emirates. Showboating dandy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be snapped up for £10m from Southampton. If all that doesn't stop ungrateful supporters complaining about 6% price hikes in season tickets, the Mill doesn't know what will.
Meanwhile Robin van Persie has told Chelsea to "shut the love up". That'll be a two-match ban for Wayne Rooney then. The Dutchman, exhibiting the sort of self-awareness that would shame Sepp Blatter, is fed up with Chelsea's players always complaining about referees. Van Persie is managed by Arsène Wenger. Van Persie, of course, did his bit for the Respect campaign by calling his sending off against Barcelona in March "a total joke". Van Persie wasn't finished there – he also hit out at Barcelona for trying to get opposition players booked, presumably for tackles like this.
Impressed by England's stunning World Cup last summer, Kanny King Kenny wants to build a nucleus of home-grown players at Liverpool. Well it's better than building an army of clones. On the way to Anfield are Sunderland's Jordan Henderson for £20m and Blackburn's Phil Jones for £15m. Smell you later suckers, Number 19 is in the bag. Dalglish will face competition for Jones from Arsenal and Tottenham though. If Henderson does go to Liverpool, Steve Bruce will use the money to bring in social networking's Darron Gibson and Wes Brown from Manchester United.
Wheeling and dealing's Harry Redknapp is in the market for some more players. So what's new? They're not having much luck though, Internacional rejecting a £10.5m bid for their Brazilian international, Leandro Damiao. If Tottenham can't get him, they'll move for up-and-coming tyro Didier Drogba. Wilson Palacios's move to Napoli has stalled though, with Spurs demanding £15m for the Honduran midfielder.
Alexis "Lawrie" Sanchez has told Manchester City he doesn't want to leave Udinese. So there. Real Madrid's manager José Mourinho has told City he won't give them £14m for Emmanuel Adebayor, last seen stomping around Camp Noú karate-chopping any Barcelona player that dared to move. Everton's David Moyes is closing in on Germany's Miroslav Klose, who's very good, although he'll be a bit miffed if he ends up signing Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose, who's very bad. Harry Redknapp is also "aware of Klose's situation". Of course he is. West Ham's Demba Ba could also be on his way to Everton, assuming he can be bothered to scrawl his name on a contract.
Swansea have offered Watford £3m for their striker, Danny Graham, who sounds like he should be auditioning for a role in a Guy Ritchie film. QPR are keeping tabs on former Liverpool and Leeds gadfly Harry Kewell and fellow Australian Lucas Neill, and will use the presence of the Walkabout in Shepherds Bush to sway the pair who are both available on free transfers.
Birmingham City's Alex McLeish and West Brom's Roy Hodgson on Fulham's radar as Mark Hughes replacement?
MARK Hughes' departure as Fulham manager last night could have significant knock-on effects for Blues and Albion.
Both Alex McLeish and Roy Hodgson could be among the prime contenders to replace Hughes at Craven Cottage.
Hughes had been locked in talks with Fulham chiefs after a break clause in his contract kicked in.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss is among the shortlist of Villa targets to step into Gerard Houllier's shoes.
Hughes also has other options – as do Villa – and his exit has left Mohamed Al Fayed needing to rustle up a replacement quickly.
McLeish received the backing of Blues' board after the club's relegation from the Premier League.
But the added rider was that he's expected to deliver promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.
McLeish stated his eagerness to carry on at the helm and get cracking on that task.
And he signed a new three-year contract in September.
But before Survival Sunday his relationship with Carson Yeung and Peter Pannu came under much scrutiny.
There were unsubstantiated suggestions, following Blues' top-flight demise, that although they weren't going to sack him, they wouldn't stand in his way if another job came up.
Yeung inherited McLeish as manager from the Sullivan and Golds regime and is a more demanding supremo. He has yet to appoint his own man to the hot seat as well, of course.
He removed his chief scout, Paul Montgomery, after relegation and McLeish knows that unless Blues keep hold of the nucleus of their squad this summer – which, in fairness, they have stated they would do – then his task could be very tough indeed.
Despite Blues' relegation, McLeish's stock remains high in the game.
Taking Blues to ninth in 2009-10 a year after promotion and the stunning Carling Cup triumph this season, bringing European football to St Andrew's for the first time in half-a-century, has not gone unrecognised elsewhere.
Coincidentally, McLeish also bought a house in Fulham in August. The property was purchased as an investment and because his sons were working in the capital.
Hodgson would also be on Fulham's radar. He steered them to survival following his appointment in 2008, before leading them to seventh spot 12 months later.
The Londoners reached the Europa League final in 2010 with Hodgson then departing for Liverpool.
But he has retained strong links with the Cottagers.
His exit to Anfield 12 months ago was conducted on amicable terms and he still speaks fondly about Fulham.
Hodgson is also mindful that he needs a strong campaign to retain any ambitions to manage at international level, not least with the England job due to become vacant after Euro 2012.
Realistically, Fulham provide a stronger potential for success and will also be competing in the Europa League, perhaps their best hope of silverware.
Hodgson, if he was to be targeted by Fulham, would also need to weigh up whether he could realistically repeat Albion's exploits of this season where, following his appointment, he took them from the brink of the bottom three to 11the spot.
Although Albion have promised to back their manager with an increased budget for wages, he is still likely to have greater financial backing at his former club.
However, Hodgson still has 12 months remaining on his current Albion deal and may opt to remain at B71 out of loyalty.
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz (http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz)
http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/06/03/why-villas-search-for-a-manager-does-not-look-set-to-end-in-mar/? (http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/06/03/why-villas-search-for-a-manager-does-not-look-set-to-end-in-mar/?)
Why Villa's Search for a Manager Does Not Look Set to End in Mark Hughes
Randy Lerner was way past the two minute warning, backed up near his own end zone and facing a fourth and long when Martin O'Neill left the Cleveland Browns owner in the lurch last summer.
The seconds are ticking by again for Lerner now as he faces the prospect of searching for a third manager in less than a year after the Gerard Houllier experiment proved a failure in one of the most depressing and difficult nine-months in the club's long history.
And already it is appearing that Villa's search for Houllier's successor is going to run and run. Mark Hughes was high up on the list, make no mistake, before his conduct in leaving Fulham forced Lerner into a swift u-turn.
Lerner is a consummate professional when it comes to business matters and Hughes' messy exit from Craven Cottage, not to mention the activities of his controversial agent Kia Joorabchian, made him turn the other cheek.
An ambitious approach for Carlo Ancelotti, still licking his wounds from his sacking at Chelsea, has been made but all the feedback received has suggested the Italian wants to remain a contestant in the Champions League.
Fair play to Lerner for asking the question though, and proof that the American wants to aim high and get this appointment right this time.
It is a case of going back to the drawing board, however, and late on Thursday Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner were compiling a short-list of potential candidates.
Martin Jol, Steve McClaren and Wigan's Roberto Martinez are expected to feature on Lerner's wish-list, with David Moyes still believed to be out of reach and too expensive.
Lerner is reluctant to pay compensation after having to fork out £2.5 million to ensure a golden handshake for Houllier, while the bitter argument with O'Neill was settled last month at great expense.
That would suggest that Jol and McClaren - both free agents after leaving their respective clubs Ajax and Wolfsburg recently - will be leading contenders.
Already, the prospective managers have been greeted with disdain by the Villa supporters. Even Hughes was viewed as a uninspiring appointment before Lerner dropped his bombshell on Thursday.
But the pressure is on and time is already ticking on a summer that could be vital to the club. The futures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing remain high on the agenda and the new manager will need to recruit excessively this summer.
Lerner has to get this one right. Villa's fans will not tolerate another season spent scrapping around the relegation zone with the dead men.
Quote from: WhiteJC on June 03, 2011, 09:59:24 AM
Birmingham City's Alex McLeish and West Brom's Roy Hodgson on Fulham's radar as Mark Hughes replacement?
MARK Hughes' departure as Fulham manager last night could have significant knock-on effects for Blues and Albion.
Both Alex McLeish and Roy Hodgson could be among the prime contenders to replace Hughes at Craven Cottage.
Hughes had been locked in talks with Fulham chiefs after a break clause in his contract kicked in.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss is among the shortlist of Villa targets to step into Gerard Houllier's shoes.
Hughes also has other options – as do Villa – and his exit has left Mohamed Al Fayed needing to rustle up a replacement quickly.
McLeish received the backing of Blues' board after the club's relegation from the Premier League.
But the added rider was that he's expected to deliver promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.
McLeish stated his eagerness to carry on at the helm and get cracking on that task.
And he signed a new three-year contract in September.
But before Survival Sunday his relationship with Carson Yeung and Peter Pannu came under much scrutiny.
There were unsubstantiated suggestions, following Blues' top-flight demise, that although they weren't going to sack him, they wouldn't stand in his way if another job came up.
Yeung inherited McLeish as manager from the Sullivan and Golds regime and is a more demanding supremo. He has yet to appoint his own man to the hot seat as well, of course.
He removed his chief scout, Paul Montgomery, after relegation and McLeish knows that unless Blues keep hold of the nucleus of their squad this summer – which, in fairness, they have stated they would do – then his task could be very tough indeed.
Despite Blues' relegation, McLeish's stock remains high in the game.
Taking Blues to ninth in 2009-10 a year after promotion and the stunning Carling Cup triumph this season, bringing European football to St Andrew's for the first time in half-a-century, has not gone unrecognised elsewhere.
Coincidentally, McLeish also bought a house in Fulham in August. The property was purchased as an investment and because his sons were working in the capital.
Hodgson would also be on Fulham's radar. He steered them to survival following his appointment in 2008, before leading them to seventh spot 12 months later.
The Londoners reached the Europa League final in 2010 with Hodgson then departing for Liverpool.
But he has retained strong links with the Cottagers.
His exit to Anfield 12 months ago was conducted on amicable terms and he still speaks fondly about Fulham.
Hodgson is also mindful that he needs a strong campaign to retain any ambitions to manage at international level, not least with the England job due to become vacant after Euro 2012.
Realistically, Fulham provide a stronger potential for success and will also be competing in the Europa League, perhaps their best hope of silverware.
Hodgson, if he was to be targeted by Fulham, would also need to weigh up whether he could realistically repeat Albion's exploits of this season where, following his appointment, he took them from the brink of the bottom three to 11the spot.
Although Albion have promised to back their manager with an increased budget for wages, he is still likely to have greater financial backing at his former club.
However, Hodgson still has 12 months remaining on his current Albion deal and may opt to remain at B71 out of loyalty.
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz (http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz)
Good ol uncle Roy already blew his chance. He had the sweetest gig in the world and turned his back on it and walked away. He has a boring style of play and I sure as hell don't want him back. A leopard doesn't change his stripes. 075.gif Woy
http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Brede-Hangeland-in-Metro-fantasy-football-team-of-the-season.aspx (http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/news/Brede-Hangeland-in-Metro-fantasy-football-team-of-the-season.aspx)
BREDE HANGELAND IN METRO FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE SEASON
Here is a great info graphic supplied by the Metro newspaper showing a summary of last seasons team performances from their fantasy football game - It features Hangeland in the team of the season.
The 'FSB points' that power the game are compiled using the OPTA live feed and they have provided a valuable insight into how the season unfolded. The Team of the Season is comprised of the Premier League's top performers and those that showed unwavering loyalty and effort towards their team's cause. The Fantasy League table shows the team's total fantasy league points over the season
(http://www.fulhamweb.co.uk/images/fantasyfootbalimg_small.jpg)
MAYBE the Fulham chief executive's trek to Amsterdam last summer will come in handy after all.
Alistair Mackintosh spent two days trying to persuade Martin Jol to swap the Amstel for the Thames – but came back empty handed.
Job already done then on the selling front, and with the Whites a couple of weeks away from the Europa League, an extra enticement for the former Spurs boss to finally sign on the dotted line.
One's thing for sure, Fulham need a new man double quick.
And why would Mark Hughes have quit after just one year and a measure of success at the Cottage, anyway?
Because Fulham don't match up to his ambitions, that's why. And anyone who read our exclusive with Glenn Hoddle speculating on Sparky's future will hardly be amazed the former Chelsea striker has departed so soon.
He had to be persuaded to join in the first place after the Jol overtures went down the pan – not the best of starts when you really want a bit more enthusiasm from the new man.
Hughes insisted this morning there has been no contact with any other club, and this column's copper-bottomed information at midday yesterday was Aston Villa had not been in touch with Fulham over a switch.
But what about down the road?
Hughes was a Chelsea favourite under Hoddle, and his no-nonsense approach with the current Stamford Bridge egos would be a welcome contrast to the more philosophical Ancelotti approach.
Hod wondered out loud whether Hughes fancied their old club as a match to his ambitions – and you don't suddenly quit a decent job unless you've got a better one to go to.
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/the-reasons-why-mark-hughes-walked-out-on-fulham-82029-28814432/#ixzz1OCngLV27 (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/the-reasons-why-mark-hughes-walked-out-on-fulham-82029-28814432/#ixzz1OCngLV27)
Main Man(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Dempsey/Celeb1.jpg)
Danny Murphy reserved special praise for team-mate Clint Dempsey recently when the Fulham skipper reflected on what was a positive 2010/11 season for the American.
Since his arrival in English football in January 2007 Dempsey has impressed and progressed to become one of the Whites' most important players.
Wonderful goals and assists of great importance have made him a popular figure amongst fans on the banks of the Thames, while his tenacity, versatility and commitment to the cause have won admiration from his peers.
"I think people forget just what Clint can bring to a side," said Murphy speaking to fulhamfc.com. "We know that he has a lot of skill and is one of those players that can make things happen out of nothing.
"But there's more to his game. He tracks back, he wins tackles and is a valuable outlet when under pressure. I think he's the longest-serving player in the current squad and that's testament to his ability and how much he means to the Club.
"For me, last season he was terrific – he really stood out."
The 28-year-old became Fulham's record Premier League goal scorer taking his tally to 33, 12 of which came in his 36 league appearances last term. Although not naturally considered a player that leads the line in the Bobby Zamora sense, in the England international's absence, Dempsey coped admirably.
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Dempsey/Celeb2.jpg)
"Clint was probably the mainstay of our strike force for long periods of the season," explained Murphy. "We had a lot of injuries to our forwards with Bobby joined by Mousa Dembélé and Andrew Johnson for long periods.
"As a result a lot of pressure was put on his [Clint's] shoulders and he did extremely well. If it wasn't for his goals and desire to do well, at what proved to be a difficult time, then things could have been very different for us.
"He's a player that has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and that was very evident last season. It was difficult having so many of the forwards missing, because let's be honest, they are the team's main source of goals.
"But Clint stepped up and relieved the pressure. I think he can be very happy with how he played last year and to become the Club's leading Premier League goal scorer shows the contribution that he has made since he came in.
"He's a player that always strives to improve," added Murphy. "To be honest he could play in any system, he's very adaptable. I'm sure there is plenty more to come and I look forward to seeing what he can do because make no mistake he's a very important player for us."
With the 2011/12 campaign starting early due to Fulham's participation in the UEFA Europa League next season, Dempsey's skill, drive and capacity for brilliance will again prove crucial.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/MurphyPraise.aspx#ixzz1ODCDcJhu (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/MurphyPraise.aspx#ixzz1ODCDcJhu)
http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/fulham-managerial-contenders-37191/? (http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/fulham-managerial-contenders-37191/?)
Fulham managerial contenders
With Mark Hughes leaving Craven Cottage tonight, Fulham are looking for a new manager for the second summer in succession. Here we assess the possible candidates to replace him.
Gus Poyet
Poyet's stock has risen after he led Brighton & Hove Albion to the League One title at a canter last season. The former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder did, however, rule himself out of a move to West Ham last month, although a return to west London and the Barclays Premier League may sway him.
Chris Hughton
Hughton won over many fans after leading Newcastle back to the Premier League and establishing them firmly in the top-flight before his shock sacking mid-way through last season. Since then the 52-year-old has been linked with a number of posts, including the vacant Cardiff job, without being appointed.
Alan Curbishley
Curbishley was the favourite to be handed the Craven Cottage hot seat last year when Roy Hodgson moved to Anfield. The former West Ham and Charlton boss would, therefore, look set to be high on the wish-list again with his track record of handling a tight budget likely to appeal to Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
Steve McClaren
The former England manager was sacked by German side Wolfsburg in February, after winning just five games of 21 in charge. The 50-year-old did win the Dutch league with FC Twente previous to his move to Germany. Should Fulham plump for him it will be McClaren's first job in England since the ill-fated Euro 2008 campaign ended in the rain at Wembley almost four years ago.
Martin Jol
The Dutchman is free to make a move back to the premier League after leaving his post at Ajax mid-way through their title-winning campaign. Jol won admirers for the attractive football played under him at Spurs and has shown interest in a return to the Premier League before.
Martin O'Neill
The Irishman recently announced he is ready for a return to management following his messy departure from Aston Villa on the eve of last season. O'Neill helped lift Villa up the table during his time in charge and after impressive stints with Celtic and Leicester on his CV he remains an attractive possibility.
Was a Deal Almost Done?
The fall-out from Mark Hughes sudden and dramatic departure from Craven Cottage continues to dominate the news.
One leading tabloid carries an article that infers that negotiations were, it`s thought, to have reached a successful conclusion with a club insider providing the following dialect to the reference tabloid,
"On Wednesday evening there was a fully negotiated two-year contract with a substantial pay-rise just needing to be checked over by lawyers and to be signed by mark Hughes."
"Yet less than a day later it`s all over and he`s resigned. But of a manager can`t give commitment or loyalty to the chairman then its best they move on now and not in August with a new season looming."
Obviously a clear reference to Roy Hodgson jumping ship at the last moment last summer.
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243493#ixzz1ODClWKGo (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243493#ixzz1ODClWKGo)
A Tale of Two Statements?
The departure of Mark Hughes, one leading tabloid reckons, could well have been down to a lack of ambition shown by the club.
If we take a trip back in time to May 11th 2011 we find that Mark Hughes is quoted as saying,
"I am very happy at Craven Cottage and am looking forward to building on what we have achieved this season. I enjoy a good relationship with the owner, management, players and fans of Fulham and look forward to continuing that relationship next season."
But returning to yesterday, June 2nd 2011 and Mark`s departing statement, we find that things had changed dramatically,
"As a young ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences. I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached - or have been approached - by another club."
Something that was subsequently born out when Aston Villa blew out of the water speculation that Hughes was the favourite to become their manager by remarking he wasn`t even on their radar.
So what has changed so dramatically in such a short space of time?
Clearly something is amiss, clearly something changed to make Hughes walk away.
If the crux of the matter is a lack of ambition, or to put it more succinctly a lack of transfer funds compared to what Hughes wanted, where does it leave us as a football club?
Would you want to come to Craven Cottage knowing that mid-table after mid-table is all you`re likely to ever accomplish in and working in an environment whereby transfers are from the bargain bucket, or have we gauged the whole situation wrong?
Perhaps Hughes never had any intention of remaining at Craven Cottage on a long term basis. Perhaps Hughes saw the post merely as a gap-filler on a curriculum vitae that didn`t need an eighteen month gap. Perhaps Hughes used us to simply fill that gap knowing we were always too good to put a relegation black-spot on the reference document and that something just above mid-table would be recognised as a decent enough spell here?
Who knows anymore!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243494#ixzz1ODCxIAT9 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243494#ixzz1ODCxIAT9)
Who`ll Be Next?
With Mark Hughes gone the search is on for his replacement.
Already several names have been thrown into the hat, some, we feel, more favourable than others.
Early contenders are - Martin O`Neill, Steve McClaren, Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol and Carlo Ancelotti.
At this early stage of the search has anyone got any preferences?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243497#ixzz1ODD64h1M (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243497#ixzz1ODD64h1M)
Zamora Injury Worry!
Any hopes we had of seeing Bobby Zamora lining up for England, against Switzerland, on Saturday afternoon, may have been dashed.
It`s being reported in the press this morning that Darren Bent is, currently, the only fit striker in the England camp.
Apparently Bobby is suffering from a hip injury picked up in the latter stages of the season and might not be considered fit enough to start.
Damn, there goes a decent afternoon`s entertainment!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243495#ixzz1ODDLifSq (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243495#ixzz1ODDLifSq)
Martin or Martin?
Now that Mark has left his Mark and left us in good shape let`s wish him well.
Who`s next?
Martin Jol who Al Fayed wanted looks a good bet and Martin O`Neil cannot be ruled out either.
I would take either of the above.
What do you think?
Even Sir Roy in for a return?
Stranger things have happened!
Who would you pick?
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243499#ixzz1ODDYcQRv (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=243499#ixzz1ODDYcQRv)
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/gatesy-weighs-up-the-options/? (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/gatesy-weighs-up-the-options/?)
Gatesy Weighs Up The Options
by GATESY on JUNE 3, 2011
So Mark Hughes has decided even with rarely travelling with the squad and not attending training he wants even less to do with the club and is on the move. But now the spotlight falls on the big choice the Whites board makes to replace Sparky. Below are a few of the names who the bookies seem to think are in with a shout, and a bit about their background and a rating of how likely I think they are to be appointed as our leader.
AVRAM GRANT
Currently without a job and lives in London. He has an understanding of the Premier League. Let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, he got Pompy relegated. Yes, he got West Ham relegated (Yaaay!! Whoooo!!). And yes, he's spent the last two seasons cemented in the bottom three places. But he must be due a bit of luck, right?
Probably not gonna happen: 4/10
LAWRIE SANCHEZ
Well remembered amongst Fulham fans from a few years back. Without his managerial guidance the Great Escape that Roy pulled off would never have occurred. Currently gaffer at Barnet, so would be cheap to employ, after narrowly avoiding relegation to the conference.
Yeah, again it's unlikely: 2/10
Stuart Baxter
He's pretty much linked with every single vacancy norf of the border, even though most people have never heard of him. Some pixyish people suggest he's not real at all, like unicorns, leprechauns and Eskimos. He'd claim he's been managing his way around Scandinavia. Perhaps it's it time for this potential phantom gaffer to throw his hat into the ring for a job the correct side of Hadrian's Wall?
Even if he exists, not happening: 3/10
RAY WILKINS
He's a massive advocate of players staying on their feet, which is refreshing. Been at the club before and signed cracking players for us like Cookie and Wayne Collins. He's also currently without a club. A bit of a long shot.
Long shot: 5/10
ME
As with all managerial vacancies that crop up I inevitably get linked with them (usually by myself on Twitter). However it's not without reason. I've managed the Sarf in an annual Norf V Sarf game between his mates, managed a five-a-side team to promotion in the Dagenham Goals five a side league and I'm reasonable on football manager. Let's be honest. I'd be cheap to employ (I'd probably do it for 1/6th of what Michael Owens on at Man Yoo at the moment) and I might catch a few teams out with my surprise tactics. And the fact that I've already has assembled a crack back room team goes without mentioning.
Nailed on? Possibly: 8/10
Apparently Martin O'Neil, Lee Clark, Curbs and, despite playing us for fools last summer, Martin Joll are also on the radar of the club.
Personally, if for some reason they over look me, I'd not be too upset were John Collins to come back to Craven Cottage. Perhaps with Paul Trollope too as he was one of my favourites.
http://www.teamtalk.com/birmingham-city/6964363/McLeish-in-Fulham-frame-Report? (http://www.teamtalk.com/birmingham-city/6964363/McLeish-in-Fulham-frame-Report?)
McLeish in Fulham frame - Report
Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has emerged as a candidate for the vacant managerial post at Fulham, according to reports.
Fulham are on the lookout for a new boss after Mark Hughes quit Craven Cottage on Thursday following the expiration of his contract.
A number of names have been linked with the role at Fulham, including Martin O'Neill and Martin Jol, but McLeish is thought to be in the running.
McLeish's future at Birmingham has been the subject of speculation for some time amid reports of strained relations with the club's board.
Birmingham's board backed McLeish in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League, but have put pressure on him to win promotion at the first time of asking.
McLeish remains a highly respected boss, despite Birmingham's relegation, after leading them to Carling Cup success with victory over Arsenal and a place in Europe next season.
The 52-year-old has a wealth of experience having managed Motherwell, Hibernian, Rangers and Scotland prior to taking over at St Andrew's.
McLeish could be attracted by a move back to the Premier League if Fulham come calling for his services.
The reasons why Mark Hughes walked out on Fulham
MAYBE the Fulham chief executive's trek to Amsterdam last summer will come in handy after all.
Alistair Mackintosh spent two days trying to persuade Martin Jol to swap the Amstel for the Thames – but came back empty handed.
Job already done then on the selling front, and with the Whites a couple of weeks away from the Europa League, an extra enticement for the former Spurs boss to finally sign on the dotted line.
One's thing for sure, Fulham need a new man double quick.
And why would Mark Hughes have quit after just one year and a measure of success at the Cottage, anyway?
Because Fulham don't match up to his ambitions, that's why. And anyone who read our exclusive with Glenn Hoddle speculating on Sparky's future will hardly be amazed the former Chelsea striker has departed so soon.
He had to be persuaded to join in the first place after the Jol overtures went down the pan – not the best of starts when you really want a bit more enthusiasm from the new man.
Hughes insisted this morning there has been no contact with any other club, and this column's copper-bottomed information at midday yesterday was Aston Villa had not been in touch with Fulham over a switch.
But what about down the road?
Hughes was a Chelsea favourite under Hoddle, and his no-nonsense approach with the current Stamford Bridge egos would be a welcome contrast to the more philosophical Ancelotti approach.
Hod wondered out loud whether Hughes fancied their old club as a match to his ambitions – and you don't suddenly quit a decent job unless you've got a better one to go to.
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/the-reasons-why-mark-hughes-walked-out-on-fulham-82029-28814432/?#ixzz1ODEQRp5o (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/06/03/the-reasons-why-mark-hughes-walked-out-on-fulham-82029-28814432/?#ixzz1ODEQRp5o)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_6964398,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_6964398,00.html?)
Craven stability
Should Cottagers go for youth to provide stability?
Tony Gale says Fulham must consider employing a manager who will not simply use the club as a "stepping stone".
The former Cottagers player was speaking on Sky Sports News HD after Mark Hughes announced his departure only 12 months into the job because he wants to "further his experiences".
Previous boss Roy Hodgson left for Liverpool last summer and Gale fears that top coaches don't want to make a long-term commitment to Fulham.
Martin O'Neill has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite for the role, but Gale suspects the Northern Irishman would also be on the lookout for bigger jobs in the future.
And he argued that chairman Mohamed Al Fayed should consider a younger coach to work alongside the current backroom team in order to give the club some stability.
"There's two ways that Fulham can go here," Gale said.
"They don't want to be used as a stepping stone again - and that's clearly what Mark has done.
"They need to get a manager in place who takes Fulham on that little bit further, which is difficult after finishing eighth.
"They've talked to Martin O'Neill, who is clearly the prime candidate, probably the best manager on the list - but they have to ensure that Martin isn't going to use this as a stepping stone and after a year go off to a big club, say Manchester United if Sir Alex jacks it in.
"I think they could go that way with Martin temporarily and say: 'Yeah, we know what he's going to do, it's a stepping stone'.
"Or they go the other way and go for a young manager / coach alongside Ray Lewington, who knows the club inside out and say : 'Let's have him for four or five years and kick on now.'"
List
:
Gale said former Aston Villa and Celtic boss O'Neill would be a good choice for the club, but insists there are a number of younger candidates to consider.
He argued that Al Fayed could hand the baton to somebody like former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola with little risk because the squad is already good enough to stay up next season.
"There's a few on the list," Gale added.
"Lee Clark, Chris Hughton, Gianfranco Zola... those type of boys I would say are going to stay there for four or five years.
"I can't see Fulham having any problems relegation-wise with the squad that they've got for next season.
"Roy started getting some decent players in, Mark Hughes has brought some excellent players in as well and there's a good stability behind the scenes.
"I think Zola would do a good job, I also think Martin O'Neill would do a good job as well. It's how Fulham perceive it and how they want to go on now.
"I think there's too much chopping and changing."
http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2011/06/03/is-this-man-responsible-for-the-mess-at-fulham? (http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2011/06/03/is-this-man-responsible-for-the-mess-at-fulham?)
Is this man responsible for the mess at Fulham?
This "super agent" may have been offering not-so-super advice
(http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/kiaatthecottage.thumbnail.jpg)
Early June is supposed to be silly season, when The Spoiler is forced to pounce on the slightest scrap of speculation and dress it up as big news. Events at Fulham over the last 24 hours have been wilder than anything in our warped imagination though.
In case you missed all of the excitement, Mark Hughes was made favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa. Villa denied any interest in Hughes.
The revelation that Sparky had an option in his Fulham contract to walk away then became big news. Villa continued to deny any interest in him.
We figured that was the end of the Thursday night fun but no, Hughes then chose to resign as Fulham boss and, who'd have guessed, Villa – like a Premier League incarnation of Simon Peter – again denied all links with Hughes. Claims that a cock then crowed are unsubstantiated.
Sparky has since snubbed suggestions that he has another job lined up, leaving us to surmise (as unheard of as it is for The Spoiler to jump to conclusions without full possession of the facts!) that he has been really poorly advised.
Of course, he could be lying low until his Fulham deal expires at the end of June before swooping into Villa's training ground in July and wondering why it's so empty – Brad Friedel today became the latest to depart, while Ashley Young is apparently desperately waiting for the exit door to be unlocked.
If not, it has to be assumed that his advisor – popular Carlos Tevez saga-inflicting super agent Kia Joorabchian – whispered in Hughes' ear that he could use this Villa rumour to demand a pay rise, Mohamed Al-Fayed told him to Leave Me Alone and the mistake was compounded by a rash decision to quit.
Is this an accurate assessment? Are we wrong to blame poor Kia? Let us know...
http://www.offthepost.info/2011/06/why-mark-schwarzer-and-jason-roberts-might-have-questions-about-mark-hughes-fulham-exit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29 (http://www.offthepost.info/2011/06/why-mark-schwarzer-and-jason-roberts-might-have-questions-about-mark-hughes-fulham-exit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+offthepost%2FTLAa+%28Off+The+Post%29)
WHY MARK SCHWARZER AND JASON ROBERTS MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MARK HUGHES' FULHAM EXIT
Some of Mark Hughes' former players might have raised their eyebrows at the ease with which their ex-boss quit Fulham this week.
Hughes resigned from Craven Cottage and is now widely tipped to take up a new position at a 'bigger' Premier League club. His matter-of-fact departure to further his career could have the likes of Jason Roberts and Mark Schwarzer scratching their heads.
Take a couple of Hughes quotes as an example:
"We had a request from Jason [Roberts] but I am not letting anyone go. He is just unhappy at not getting a lot of games."
Keeping his wantaway striker at Blackburn in 2007.
"Sometimes it is not always greener on the other side. I understand that at certain times of their careers players feel that when an opportunity presents itself, they feel they have to consider it very carefully."
Understanding, but still rejecting Mark Schwarzer's transfer request to join Arsenal last summer.
Meanwhile, Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed must think history is repeating itself after Hughes' exit:
"He [Mark Hughes] has inherited a great team which had fantastic results but unfortunately this guy [Roy Hodgson], after we put him where he is now, he took advantage and left us. But good luck to him, good luck to Liverpool."
Mohamed Al-Fayed, August 2010
That was Al-Fayed's response to Mark Hughes' appointment as Fulham manager in August 2010. He barely needs to tweak his statement and he can put out the same angry statement to mark Sparky's exit.
Hughes is being linked with the vacant Aston Villa manager's post, and also as an outsider to take over at his former club Chelsea.
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/still-just-little-fulham/? (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/still-just-little-fulham/?)
Still just 'Little Fulham'?
by LYDIA on JUNE 3, 2011
The phrase 'punching above their weight' is commenly used along side Fulham in a sentence. And from my take on things, I assume that Hughes has left us because our club is just 'too small' for him. How frustrating. 2 seasons ago we fiinished 7th (a remarkable feat considering the season before) and qualified for Europe, last season we finished 12th in the league but managed to play some outstanding football and reached the Europa League final and we follwed it up this year when we finished 8th also qualifing for Europe, even if it was through the Fair Play League. It seems to me that our club is getting stronger and stronger every year, so is it really a matter of us still punching above our weight? I'm thinking that Fulham is a club that is on the rise and we deserve to be where we are! This is not punching above our weight, this is just our standard at the minute!
The problem is that nobody else seems to realise this! To nearly everybody in the footballing world, we are a small club with no ambition so why would Sparky have wanted to stay with us? If I'm honest, I thought that we was brilliant for us. We had a slow start but considering we went most of the season without Zamora, I thought we had a great season! If he really didn't leave because of a 3rd party, then why on earth did he leave? I think that he thinks that another club somewhere will jump at the chance to sign him up but he needs to be careful that his behaviour towards Fulham will not cause oher clubs to be cautious about him. There is no doubt about it, he showed Fulham absolutly NO respect. To him we are nothing but a small club. So sorry, Sparky, butI hope you regret leaving us the way you did.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6964527,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11677_6964527,00.html?)
Latics plan Martinez talks
Wigan ready to offer manager new deal to ward off rival clubs
Wigan are ready to offer Roberto Martinez a new deal to ward off the threat of any interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Fulham.
The Spaniard, who has been at the DW Stadium for two years, helped the Latics remain in the Premier League with victory over Stoke on Survival Sunday.
His efforts for the North West outfit and previously at Swansea have attracted the interest of rival clubs and Wigan are now eager to secure his long-term future.
Villa parted company with Gerard Houllier on Wednesday evening and Mark Hughes left Fulhamon Thursday, with Martinez subsequently mentioned as a possible contender for both posts.
But chief executive Jonathan Jackson is keen to retain the services of the former Latics player, and revealed talks involving Martinez and chairman Dave Whelan will take place in the near future.
Look forward
"Clearly Roberto will be linked with other jobs because of how well he's done here, but we all want him to stay," Jackson told the Wigan Evening Post.
"Roberto has done fantastically well for this football club and we'd love him to remain here for many years.
"We've all been fully focused on what was going on at the end of the season, and ensuring we remained in the Premier League.
"Now we can look forward, and that (Martinez's future) will be one of the main topics on our agenda. It will be something we'll be looking at over the next month or so."
Five-year plan
Jackson accepts that there may be a time when Martinez looks to pastures new in the future, but feels that the respected young tactician is still in the middle of his project with Wigan.
Jackson added: "Personally I think Roberto will end up as manager of a very top club in the future. If and when that happens we'll have to prepare for that.
"But it's been well-documented that he's got a five-year plan at this club, which involves overhauling the youth development side of things as well as establishing Wigan as a Premier League side that not only survives every year but pushes on towards the top 10.
"We're in the middle of that process now and I think he's enjoying the challenge."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fulham-captain-murphy-lauds-dempsey-1672911? (http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/fulham-captain-murphy-lauds-dempsey-1672911?)
Fulham captain Murphy lauds Dempsey
Fulham skipper Danny Murphy has given plenty of praise to star goalscorer Clint Dempsey.
The USA international became the all-time leading Premier League scorer for the Cottagers this season with his tally of 12 taking his overall count to 33, bypassing Frenchman Steed Malbranque and fellow American Brian McBride.
But Murphy said it was more than just goals which makes Dempsey stand out from the rest.
"I think people forget just what Clint can bring to a side," said Murphy speaking to fulhamfc.com. "We know that he has a lot of skill and is one of those players that can make things happen out of nothing.
"But there's more to his game. He tracks back, he wins tackles and is a valuable outlet when under pressure. I think he's the longest-serving player in the current squad and that's testament to his ability and how much he means to the Club.
"For me, last season he was terrific – he really stood out."
And Murphy went on, saying that the attacking midfielder did a tremendous job in the absence of more noted attackers Bobby Zamora, Moussa Dembélé and Andy Johnson.
"Clint was probably the mainstay of our strike force for long periods of the season," explained Murphy. "We had a lot of injuries to our forwards with Bobby joined by Mousa Dembélé and Andrew Johnson for long periods.
"As a result a lot of pressure was put on his [Clint's] shoulders and he did extremely well. If it wasn't for his goals and desire to do well, at what proved to be a difficult time, then things could have been very different for us.
"He's a player that has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, and that was very evident last season. It was difficult having so many of the forwards missing, because let's be honest, they are the team's main source of goals.
"But Clint stepped up and relieved the pressure. I think he can be very happy with how he played last year and to become the Club's leading Premier League goal scorer shows the contribution that he has made since he came in."
Fulham Sign Youth Prospect(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Donegan/DoneganNews.jpg)
The Club is pleased to confirm that 18-year-old Tom Donegan, a promising midfielder, has signed for Fulham Football Club from Everton FC, on a two-year contract that will see the youngster remain at the Cottage until June 2013.
Fulham fans who attended the Academy League Final at the Cottage in May 2011 will remember Donegan, an accomplished passer of the ball, as an integral figure in Everton's late victory over Fulham's U18s side.
Donegan became a full-time scholar at Everton in the summer of 2009 and was previously a member of Blackburn's academy. The midfielder will team up with Fulham's Development Squad at the start of the 2011/12 campaign.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/DoneganSigns.aspx?#ixzz1ODHDLwCO (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/DoneganSigns.aspx?#ixzz1ODHDLwCO)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_6964552,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_6964552,00.html?)
Hughes for Blues?
Could Hughes return to Stamford Bridge as manager?
Chelsea legend Kerry Dixon says Mark Hughes would be a good choice to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.
The Welshman has been linked with the vacancy after announcing his decision to leave Fulham, insisting he wants to find a job at a more high-profile club.
Hughes, who played for Chelsea between 1995 and 1998, would surely jump at the chance to make the short move across West London to work under billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.
Former Blues striker Dixon believes he would be a popular appointment and says he has a point to prove after being sacked by Manchester City last term.
"I would like to see Sparky given a chance," Dixon told Sky Sports News.
"I think he was a little bit unfairly treated at Manchester City and ultimately after finding his feet at Fulham he's done a good job.
"If Mark was given the job, surely he would galvanise the supporters here."
Hughes faces competition for the job from another fan favourite, Guus Hiddink, who took caretaker charge of Chelsea for half a season in 2009, winning the FA Cup and only losing one game.
The current Turkey boss has refused to comment on reports linking him with a return to the club, but Dixon feels he would be tempted to go back to domestic management with the Blues.
"The small amount of time that he had at Chelsea would endear him to the club," he said.
"Were he to leave the position as Turkey manager that would make him want to come to Chelsea and try his luck at making the transition.
"Players have moved on two years and we've got a couple of new players in like Fernando Torres and David Luiz, who have been integrated into the squad.
"I think Guus Hiddink could well be the man to do it."
The likes of Harry Redknapp, Andre Villas-Boas and Marco van Basten have also been touted for the position and Dixon encouraged the board to think carefully before making their decision.
"The important thing is to get it right or to try and get it right," he said.
"Whether they interview a list of people who are touted about or whether they check the availability... I really don't know the procedure as regards how they get their manager.
"I just hope when they make their choice the decision's the right one."
http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/0,17033,8749_6964541,00.html? (http://www.football365.com/mediawatch/0,17033,8749_6964541,00.html?)
The Page That Has Never Liked Him, Or His special one FaceAmbitions
If there are any Fulham fans out there irked at Mark Hughes (and from what Mediawatch has heard so far, the response from Craven Cottage has been a big fat shrug), then Sparky asks that they understand his decision to leave.
"I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences," said Hughes.
Fair enough. Not as if Sparky has given the impression that Fulham do in fact satisfy his ambitions recently, is it?
Oh, wait...
30 April: "I'm hoping to sit down with the club and talk about my future...I want to stay because I like this club. I think it's run well with good people and we can be successful. What we have achieved since Christmas gives me encouragement for the whole of next season. We've got good quality players here and, like most clubs, we'll try to add to that quality in the summer. If we can I feel confident that the next few years will be very successful."
11 May: "I'm very happy at Craven Cottage and am looking forward enormously to building on what we have achieved this season. I enjoy a good relationship with the owner, management, players and supporters of Fulham Football Club and look forward to continuing that relationship next season."
23 May: "When you have all I have in place here, you don't give it up lightly. There'll be speculation about my future because, if a manager does reasonably well, you get talked about in glowing terms. But from my point of view, I'm very happy here and it is not my intention to look elsewhere."
Hats Off
You have to admire the set of cojones on display at The Daily Star, whose back page reads 'SPARKY: I QUIT! EXCLUSIVE!'
For the record, the news was on F365 at 17.57 on Thursday.
From The Same Hymn Sheet
"It's no use just Robin van Persie going because it looks like it's just him having a go at the ref. If we all get round him....You just see the other teams do it and you think 'we need to do it as well" - Jack Wilshere, May 31.
"If you want to witness a lot of complaints, you should just go the bakery or something. There's always people nagging there as well. Chelsea players are always bitching against the referees. I really cannot understand that. Just shut the f*** up and focus on playing football" - Robin Van Persie, June 2.
Fair Play
Great stuff from RvP, obviously.
Chelsea bitch at refs, do they? They're always complaining and making the officials' lives miserable eh? And Arsenal don't and should do more of it you say? Interesting.
A quick glance at the final Premier League fair play table sees Chelsea sitting rather proudly at the top, while Arsenal are in a respectable-but-could-do-better position of eighth.
By the by, Robin, part of the Fair Play tally is decided by points awarded to each team for 'Respect towards the referee' in each game. Over the season Chelsea gained 227, while Arsenal got 220.
Better Than Them
Incidentally, at the tail end of RvP's highly entertaining rant was the following gem:
"A club like Manchester City change their philosophy every year and Chelsea spent about €80 million [£70m] this season ... two clubs who had a big mouth before the season, thinking that Arsenal wouldn't play a role in the title race but we are still ahead of them."
May we direct you towards...oh, what's that list of teams with numbers and stuff next to them...ah yes! The league table!
Buns
And one final thing on RvP - what the hell is going on at the bakeries round Robin's way?
CRISIS!
Ah, it's England time again, and you know what that means - yep, The Sun roll up to use any single morsel of a hint of an excuse to undermine Fabio Capello.
Take their big back page EXCLUSIVE! this morning, headlined 'ENGLAND CRISIS'.
Writes Charlie Wyett: 'Darren Bent is England's only fully-fit striker for tomorrow's 2012 Euro qualifier with Switzerland...Peter Crouch has back trouble while Bobby Zamora is still struggling with a hip injury picked up at the end of the season with Fulham. Both trained all this week but are playing though the pain barrier.'
Hmmm. So both players trained all week, but England are 'in crisis'.
Well we're terrified.
Quote Of The Day
"Not yet" - David Beckham responds when asked if he has a tattoo on his penis. Lord.
Daily Mail Headline Of The Day
'Amnesty shambles lets in 250,000 asylum seekers.'
Non-Football Story Of the Day
'A trial date is expected to be set on Thursday for 12 people arrested in connection with setting a pastor alight after accusing him of using a magic penis to sleep with women. The nine men and three women, aged between 28 and 50 will appear in the Boschfontein periodical court in Mpumalanga on charges murder and arson. The villagers, among them a community induna (headman), were arrested on February 24 after Albert Malwane, a pastor of the Izwi Zion Christian Church, was burnt to death a day before. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said that Malwane had been dragged from his one-roomed house in the Etitandini informal settlement near Jeppes Reef south of Malalane and taken to a hill, where he was set alight.
'Malwane's house was also burnt and his wife and daughter went into hiding. Community members had accused him of talking to animals and using an invisible penis to sleep with women in the informal settlement. They also accused his wife of turning into a snail and terrorising the community' - News24.com.
Runner-Up
'Independence police responding to an alligator sighting in a suburban Kansas City pond took quick action to dispatch the big reptile. It wasn't until after the second rifle shot bounced off the beast's head Saturday evening that the three officers realized it was a concrete lawn ornament. Independence police spokesman Tom Gentry says a resident called to report that his children spotted a gator while playing in the woods near the pond. After a conservation agent advised police to kill the gator if they felt it posed a danger, an officer shot it twice in the head before realizing it wasn't moving. Gentry says the gator was partially submerged in weeds and looked real in the growing darkness. The landowner says it was meant to scare off children' - AP.
Thanks to today's Mediawatch spotters The quite excellent Daniel Tilles, John Briggs and Roy Henderson. If you spot anything that belongs on this page, mail us at
[email protected], putting 'Mediawatch' in the subject field.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23956266-its-vital-fulham-get-it-right-when-they-appoint-next-manager.do? (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23956266-its-vital-fulham-get-it-right-when-they-appoint-next-manager.do?)
It's vital Fulham get it right when they appoint next manager
Wherever Fulham turn to next for their third manager in a year, they must avoid the mistakes made in appointing Mark Hughes last summer.
The very public pursuit of Martin Jol left Hughes with nowhere to hide from the knowledge he was second choice. He was unveiled on August 3, leaving him little time to act in the transfer market and yet he made two astute signings in Mousa Dembele and Carlos Salcido to bolster the squad.
However, Bobby Zamora's broken leg robbed Fulham
of their spearhead and they often lost direction in matches as a result, pumping balls forward for strikers who thrived on a different kind of service.
This only compounded Hughes's struggle to influence the team's style and Fulham consequently flirted with the relegation zone before staging a dramatic recovery to finish eighth.
Such a rallying conclusion to the campaign lends further credence to the notion Hughes is a manager of some talent but his utterance that leaving Fulham will "further my experiences" as a "young, ambitious manager" leaves a bitter taste for the Craven Cottage faithful.
A manager needs self-confidence to succeed but there has always remained a gap between how good Hughes thinks he is and what he has achieved. The 47-year-old took Wales to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004 and secured three top-10 finishes and as many cup semi-finals with Blackburn.
Hughes signed up to do a job at Manchester City but found the goalposts moved to the extreme by Sheikh Mansour's takeover at the club and the sense of unfinished business at a top club is clearly a hugely motivating factor behind his decision to quit Fulham.
But it would still require a considerable leap of faith for the top club he craves to appoint him - even Chelsea, who would have the added incentive that comes with Hughes being a former player.
There is a feeling that he still needs to earn his spurs and he could have done so at Fulham, who will in turn feel used. Although his departure from City in unfortunate circumstances may have evoked widespread sympathy, that sentiment will be eroded by his abrupt exit from Fulham.
However, the club left themselves open to this situation by allowing a break clause in Hughes's contract in the first place. The offer of a new two-year deal - to which it is claimed the Welshman verbally agreed - attempted to right that wrong but the damage had already been done.
It was a dangerous concoction to allow a man developing a reputation as a managerial nomad the chance to have his head turned. Although Aston Villa and Chelsea have given lukewarm responses to Hughes's availability, it remains unlikely he would depart without another job in mind. He always has another job in mind. Hughes feels he is worthy of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United or some other top job and is tailoring his career accordingly.
Fulham must have known this when jumping into bed with Hughes and are now presented with a difficult challenge in finding his successor. Do they give a chance to an up-and-coming manager in the hope he can provide stability through longevity? Or do they go for a big name in the knowledge he is highly likely to use Fulham as a stepping stone just like Hughes has?
Fulham deserve a manager who treats them with respect. The jury must be out on whether leading candidate Martin O'Neill would do that.
Sam Allardyce was partly motivated to take the reins at West Ham to get back into football and prove himself in London with a view to the England job next summer and O'Neill would have similar designs. Do well with Fulham and he would be a genuine challenger to Harry Redknapp - do badly and his claims would all but disappear.
After interviewing on more than one occasion with the Football Association for the England job, O'Neill clearly has grand designs but do Fulham want to get involved with another manager who has a different agenda?
It is a tough call but one they must handle better than last time.
Mark Hughes 'could head to Dubai after Aston Villa deny interest'
The manner in which Mark Hughes decided to leave Fulham has reportedly soured any interest Aston Villa had in signing him as a replacement for Gerard Houllier, while speculation is mounting that he could join Dubai outfit Al-Ahli.
Hughes's next move is as good as anyone's guess after he walked out on Fulham on Thursday, but his method of exit has left a bitter taste especially with the club's chairman Mohamed Al Fayed - who is understood to have been preparing a contract extension for the former Wales boss.
'The chairman became increasingly annoyed by Mark positioning himself for another club, whilst still negotiating with us, and having agreed terms.' a Fulham spokesperson told the Guardian.
A move to the vacant hot-seat at Villa appeared to be a logical choice for the Welshman to make, but reports have since emerged that as soon as the news broke that he was leaving Craven Cottage staff at Aston Villa called to say they weren't interested.
Hughes released a statement from a holiday in Dubai claiming no third party had 'influenced' his decision to leave Fulham.
But the 47-year-old's next career move could well be based in the United Arab Emirates at Al-Ahli, a club which approached him just before he joined Fulham.
The offer was declined by Hughes, however the club is desperate to find a new coach when they sacked David O'Leary in April this year after just eight months in charge at the club.
Assistant coach Abdul Hamid Al Mistaki is still acting as the club's caretaker manager and a potentially lucrative offer appears to be on the horizon.
Finances aren't a problem at the club which is owned by the Crown Prince of Dubai - Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum.
Attracting big names also isn't an issue with the club hitting the headlines in 2010 when they announced they had signed Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro from Juventus.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/865213-mark-hughes-could-head-to-dubai-after-aston-villa-deny-interest#ixzz1ODPdGgRy (http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/865213-mark-hughes-could-head-to-dubai-after-aston-villa-deny-interest#ixzz1ODPdGgRy)
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/be-careful-what-you-say-sparky/? (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/06/be-careful-what-you-say-sparky/?)
Be careful what you say, Sparky
by DAN on JUNE 3, 2011
Plenty of talk today that Mark Hughes left Fulham because we were ambitious enough for him (see here and here).
But, as Football 365 point out, it's worth looking at what he's said since being in charge at Craven Cottage.
Mark Hughes, yesterday:
As a young, ambitious manager I wish to move on to further my experiences. I believe my management team and I have done a good job and the club has a strong foundation from which they can go forward [...] I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences.
30 April:
I'm hoping to sit down with the club and talk about my future...I want to stay because I like this club. I think it's run well with good people and we can be successful. What we have achieved since Christmas gives me encouragement for the whole of next season. We've got good quality players here and, like most clubs, we'll try to add to that quality in the summer. If we can I feel confident that the next few years will be very successful.
11 May:
I'm very happy at Craven Cottage and am looking forward enormously to building on what we have achieved this season. I enjoy a good relationship with the owner, management, players and supporters of Fulham Football Club and look forward to continuing that relationship next season.
23 May:
When you have all I have in place here, you don't give it up lightly. There'll be speculation about my future because, if a manager does reasonably well, you get talked about in glowing terms. But from my point of view, I'm very happy here and it is not my intention to look elsewhere.
When Hughes was harshly sacked by Manchester City, the LMA put a statement of support and backed him to the hilt. They've been very quiet over the last 24 hours.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/03/SOCCER_Chelsea.html (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/03/SOCCER_Chelsea.html)
HUGHES WELCOME AT CHELSEA - TERRY
Chelsea captain John Terry would welcome the appointment of Mark Hughes or Guus Hiddink as Chelsea boss.
The Blues are looking for a successor to Carlo Ancelotti and Hughes, who resigned as Fulham boss yesterday, and Turkey coach Hiddink have been linked with the role.
Hiddink enjoyed a successful spell in caretaker charge of Chelsea two years ago, winning the FA Cup, while Hughes played at Stamford Bridge for three years.
"There's a lot of speculation out there at the moment," Terry told a press conference ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland tomorrow.
"I was very sad to see Carlo go, and as a group of players we will wait for the club to make a decision. There's a lot of managers been linked at the moment.
On Hughes, Terry added: "He's someone that hopefully the club will be talking to. If it's him he will be welcomed by the players."
He added: "We had a great time under Guus, he would be welcomed back.
"Whether we are going to get someone who knows the club or someone different, that's out of the players hands."
Is There Something We Should Know?
Is there something going on we don`t know about?
The reason I ask is that the more I delve into the internet the more I`m becoming convinced that Mark Hughes could very well become the next manager of Chelsea Football Club.
John Terry, getting ready to lead England in the crucial European Championship qualifier against Switzerland this weekend, has given a few comments, at the England press conference, that could be viewed as substantiating that possibility with John remarking,
"There's a lot of speculation out there at the moment'
'I was very sad to see Carlo go, and as a group of players we will wait for the club to make a decision. There's a lot of managers been linked at the moment."
And adding, on the possibility of Hughes being appointed, Terry added,
'He's someone that hopefully the club will be talking to. If it's him he will be welcomed by the players.'
Continuing on a theme, another Chelsea legend in Kerry Dixon has also had his say on the possibility of Hughes getting the nod, commenting on Sky Sports,
'I would like to see Sparky given a chance.'
'I think he was a little bit unfairly treated at Manchester City and ultimately after finding his feet at Fulham he's done a good job."
'If Mark was given the job, surely he would galvanise the supporters here.'
Do I have a point or am I simply becoming paranoid?
Read more: http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=523516#ixzz1ODWlbsM7 (http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=523516#ixzz1ODWlbsM7)
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/03/SOCCER_Fulham.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165 (http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/06/03/SOCCER_Fulham.html&TEAMHD=soccer&BID=165)
SENDEROS URGES FULHAM TO ACT QUICKLY
Fulham defender Philippe Senderos was shocked to see Mark Hughes resign and has urged the Fulham board to appoint his successor as soon as possible.
Hughes quit as Fulham boss on Thursday after guiding the Cottagers to eighth in his first season in charge.
The London club also qualified for next season's Europa League under his stewardship, albeit via the Fair Play League.
The Welshman has been hotly tipped to take over the vacant manager's position at Aston Villa, although he insisted after his resignation that he had not already held talks with the midlands club.
Martin Jol is the bookmakers' favourite for the manager's position at Fulham, while Steve McClaren and Martin O'Neill have also been mentioned as possible candidates.
Whoever gets the job, they will have to start work quickly, with Fulham's Europa League qualifier less than four weeks away.
The players are due to report back for pre-season training on June 23 and Senderos wants a new man in charge quickly.
"I didn't see it coming, no-one did," Senderos said.
"It's sad for everyone because we have had a good campaign and we were hoping to build on that next season but we will see what happens.
"It's something that happens in football. The sooner Fulham are able to get a manager, the better."
Senderos only played three games under Hughes after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in August but is now back to full fitness and is likely to play in Switzerland's Euro 2012 qualifier against England at Wembley on Saturday.
http://www.footylatest.com/qpr-and-west-brom-chasing-fulham-striker/22494? (http://www.footylatest.com/qpr-and-west-brom-chasing-fulham-striker/22494?)
QPR and West Brom chasing Fulham striker
Fulham striker Andrew Johnson looks set leave Craven Cottage, with both West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers both trying to get his signature before the new season starts, to bolster up their strike force, the England former international who hasn't represented England since 2007 is still seen as a potent striker, who can still fit into any side.
Johnson who started his professional career with Birmingham City in 1997, has had a good travelled career also playing for Crystal Palace, Everton and currently at Fulham where he has been since signing for them in 2008 making 63 appearances to date for the Craven Cottage club.
The fee Fulham will be asking for is believed to be around the €5 million mark, a sum that many would still consider worthwhile for any club to shell out for the striker.
Many sceptics still believe that Johnson has had his day and is not the potent threat that his early career once promised, but this has not deterred newly promoted Queens Park Rangers from adding him to their wish list at Loftus Road, with new Premier League rivals and former Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion also looking at bringing the striker to the Hawthorns.
Website MaintenanceDue to online improvements taking place this weekend, our online ticket and retail services will be unavailable until Monday 6th June.
However supporters wishing to make any online purchases can do so by emailing a representative of our ticketing or retail team who will respond in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience.
For ticket enquiries please email
[email protected] with your contact details and a member of our Ticket Office team will contact you on Monday.
For all retail orders please email
[email protected] with your contact details and a member of our Retail team will contact you on Monday.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/WebsiteMaintenance.aspx?#ixzz1ODou4sY1 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/WebsiteMaintenance.aspx?#ixzz1ODou4sY1)
Quote from: Tom on June 03, 2011, 10:04:38 AM
Quote from: WhiteJC on June 03, 2011, 09:59:24 AM
Birmingham City's Alex McLeish and West Brom's Roy Hodgson on Fulham's radar as Mark Hughes replacement?
MARK Hughes' departure as Fulham manager last night could have significant knock-on effects for Blues and Albion.
Both Alex McLeish and Roy Hodgson could be among the prime contenders to replace Hughes at Craven Cottage.
Hughes had been locked in talks with Fulham chiefs after a break clause in his contract kicked in.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss is among the shortlist of Villa targets to step into Gerard Houllier's shoes.
Hughes also has other options – as do Villa – and his exit has left Mohamed Al Fayed needing to rustle up a replacement quickly.
McLeish received the backing of Blues' board after the club's relegation from the Premier League.
But the added rider was that he's expected to deliver promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.
McLeish stated his eagerness to carry on at the helm and get cracking on that task.
And he signed a new three-year contract in September.
But before Survival Sunday his relationship with Carson Yeung and Peter Pannu came under much scrutiny.
There were unsubstantiated suggestions, following Blues' top-flight demise, that although they weren't going to sack him, they wouldn't stand in his way if another job came up.
Yeung inherited McLeish as manager from the Sullivan and Golds regime and is a more demanding supremo. He has yet to appoint his own man to the hot seat as well, of course.
He removed his chief scout, Paul Montgomery, after relegation and McLeish knows that unless Blues keep hold of the nucleus of their squad this summer – which, in fairness, they have stated they would do – then his task could be very tough indeed.
Despite Blues' relegation, McLeish's stock remains high in the game.
Taking Blues to ninth in 2009-10 a year after promotion and the stunning Carling Cup triumph this season, bringing European football to St Andrew's for the first time in half-a-century, has not gone unrecognised elsewhere.
Coincidentally, McLeish also bought a house in Fulham in August. The property was purchased as an investment and because his sons were working in the capital.
Hodgson would also be on Fulham's radar. He steered them to survival following his appointment in 2008, before leading them to seventh spot 12 months later.
The Londoners reached the Europa League final in 2010 with Hodgson then departing for Liverpool.
But he has retained strong links with the Cottagers.
His exit to Anfield 12 months ago was conducted on amicable terms and he still speaks fondly about Fulham.
Hodgson is also mindful that he needs a strong campaign to retain any ambitions to manage at international level, not least with the England job due to become vacant after Euro 2012.
Realistically, Fulham provide a stronger potential for success and will also be competing in the Europa League, perhaps their best hope of silverware.
Hodgson, if he was to be targeted by Fulham, would also need to weigh up whether he could realistically repeat Albion's exploits of this season where, following his appointment, he took them from the brink of the bottom three to 11the spot.
Although Albion have promised to back their manager with an increased budget for wages, he is still likely to have greater financial backing at his former club.
However, Hodgson still has 12 months remaining on his current Albion deal and may opt to remain at B71 out of loyalty.
Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz (http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/06/03/birmingham-city-s-alex-mcleish-and-west-brom-s-roy-hodgson-on-fulham-s-radar-as-mark-hughes-replacement-97319-28812958/2/#ixzz1OCZNBoyz)
Good ol uncle Roy already blew his chance. He had the sweetest gig in the world and turned his back on it and walked away. He has a boring style of play and I sure as hell don't want him back. A leopard doesn't change his stripes. 075.gif Woy
Don't be ridiculous, sh'up Tom