Mark Hughes Quits Fulham

[Gerrin]

I wouldn't be amazed if Chelsea appoint Hughes assistant manager to someone like Hiddink, with the promise he will succeed him.

Yeah, but would Hughes want to do that? - with his CV and ego, I'd be surprised if he goes as a #2 to anyone, TBH.

You're right. Hughes is nobody's number 2, why would he be? Top managers need a bit of arrogance and no way would a manger with Hughes experience take a 2nd in command role. Plus Hughes was linked with Chelsea when Grant got sacked.

[ozzjim]

He was. Him turning up there would not shock, but imagine how their fans would see it. If we are not doing cartwheels they would be gutted.

Anyhow, I have resigned myself to Ailsa taking charge now.

[hilts_coolerking]

You can believe what you like, but you don't know.

I know Ancelotti is a better manager than Mark Hughes.  I know Benitez is a better manager than Mark Hughes.  Just as I know all three are better managers than Glenn Roeder and Alan Ball.

[Percy McCarthy]

They were young in managerial terms. Of course there were lots of managers around at the time with your infallible measure of talent - better CVs, more achievements. Yet none of them were in the same class.

If Hughes goes on to take his place alongside those greats then I'll happily accept you're right.  Until then, I'm happy to stick with my opinion.  Which is that while Hughes isn't a bad manager, as things stand there are better currently available.  Which, given that includes Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, I don't think it's a particularly outrageous view to hold.  Whether they want to come to Villa is a different matter and something I hope Randy is currently exploring.

If you'd like to explain why you think Hughes is a better manager than Ancelotti and Benitez then knock yourself out.  I'm willing to be persuaded by any convincing argument.

That's better, you're talking about your views and opinions now rather than getting them mixed up with facts.

I think Hughes would perhaps be a better Villa manager as I think he is better suited (than the two you mention) to a club that is seemingly unwilling to pay top money to top players.

[Eigentor]

From BBC:

Even before Houllier's departure was confirmed, Mark Hughes's name had been bandied around, and less than 24 hours after Houllier left his post, so did Hughes.

But BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy said that did not necessarily mean that the former Manchester United striker was being lined up by Villa.

"I don't believe that Hughes is Villa's number one target - I think they've already settled on a number one target and quite rightly they won't tell me who that is," he said.

"I don't think this has done Mark Hughes a lot of favours in the eyes of [Villa owner] Randy Lerner who is quite hot on these things.

"It's not true that they coveted Hughes last summer. I understand Fulham are also unimpressed by Hughes's behaviour in the last 24 hours or so. I would say the odds against Mark Hughes have lengthened over the last few hours in terms of being Villa manager.

"It's a bit of a myth Lerner doesn't want managers under contract. What he'll do is approach the club and say we want to talk to your manager and that brings in [Everton boss] David Moyes.

"There are also free agents - Steve McClaren, Martin Jol, Rafa Benitez - but being a free agent is not getting them extra bonus points in the eyes of Randy Lerner. They'll have no qualms about approaching a club for a manager that's under contract."

[Toronto Villa]

He was. Him turning up there would not shock, but imagine how their fans would see it. If we are not doing cartwheels they would be gutted.

Anyhow, I have resigned myself to Ailsa taking charge now.

wouldn't be the end of the world Ozz. He'd be a decent appointment. However, if you make Hughes arriving the lowest you'll feel, just imagine your delight if it actaully ends up being Carlo!!

[hilts_coolerking]

a club that is seemingly unwilling to pay top money to top players.

Is that an opinion?  Or a fact?

[Percy McCarthy]

You can believe what you like, but you don't know.

I know Ancelotti is a better manager than Mark Hughes.  I know Benitez is a better manager than Mark Hughes.

No, you don't. Unless your a time-traveller.

[Lizz]

You can believe what you like, but you don't know.

I know Ancelotti is a better manager than Mark Hughes.  I know Benitez is a better manager than Mark Hughes.

No, you don't. Unless your a time-traveller.

Today I've had one of my crappest days at work ever. For whatever reason, the above post has brought the one and only smile to my face today. It's like old times. It's why this site is my drug of choice.

[hilts_coolerking]

No, you don't. Unless your a time-traveller.

Yes, I do.  Those are true statements.  Any objective measure will support that.  If you are suggesting that, in time, Mark Hughes may become a better manager than either Benitez or Ancelotti, then that's something else again.  But I've seen nothing in his career to date to suggest he has what it takes to win the domestic league in England, Spain or Italy, let alone the Champions League.  I'd put him on a par with Moyes and O'Neill.

[themossman]

I don't want Hughes if he is joining us but if he is joining Chelsea then I definitely do.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

From BBC:

Even before Houllier's departure was confirmed, Mark Hughes's name had been bandied around, and less than 24 hours after Houllier left his post, so did Hughes.

But BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy said that did not necessarily mean that the former Manchester United striker was being lined up by Villa.

"I don't believe that Hughes is Villa's number one target - I think they've already settled on a number one target and quite rightly they won't tell me who that is," he said.

"I don't think this has done Mark Hughes a lot of favours in the eyes of [Villa owner] Randy Lerner who is quite hot on these things.

"It's not true that they coveted Hughes last summer. I understand Fulham are also unimpressed by Hughes's behaviour in the last 24 hours or so. I would say the odds against Mark Hughes have lengthened over the last few hours in terms of being Villa manager.

"It's a bit of a myth Lerner doesn't want managers under contract. What he'll do is approach the club and say we want to talk to your manager and that brings in [Everton boss] David Moyes.

"There are also free agents - Steve McClaren, Martin Jol, Rafa Benitez - but being a free agent is not getting them extra bonus points in the eyes of Randy Lerner. They'll have no qualms about approaching a club for a manager that's under contract."

I can imagine Randy on the phone to Everton would sound something like this:

Randy: Hi Bill, this is Randy Lerner here from Aston Villa
Bill Kenwright: Alright Laar Randy
Randy: Listen Bill, we are keen on having David Moyes come to Aston Villa and would like to negotiate the opportunity to speak to him.
Bill Kenwright: I'm sorry Randy, we'd like to keep him here and can't give you that blessing.
Randy: Ok, thanks for your time.

I honestly think Randy has enough class about him that he wouldn't be a shit about it.

[Percy McCarthy]

a club that is seemingly unwilling to pay top money to top players.

Is that an opinion?  Or a fact?

I think the word 'seemingly' establishes that.

[ozzjim]

Percy, Benitez and Ancelotti ARE better managers than Mark Hughes. That is a fact. They are only 3 years his senior and have both won trophies. The fact they have both won trophies in 2 countries is even more impressive. Both have won domestic leagues. The best Hughes has done is 6th, and had the opportunity to push on at City and in reality didn't take it, was a little unlucky but go the boot from the big time.

The argument of whether Hughes may be better for Villa in certain circumstances is totally valid, but to judge a guy on how good he is you look at his achievements. Just like you look at a forward and see goal ratios.

[Dave]

From BBC:

Even before Houllier's departure was confirmed, Mark Hughes's name had been bandied around, and less than 24 hours after Houllier left his post, so did Hughes.

But BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy said that did not necessarily mean that the former Manchester United striker was being lined up by Villa.

"I don't believe that Hughes is Villa's number one target - I think they've already settled on a number one target and quite rightly they won't tell me who that is," he said.

"I don't think this has done Mark Hughes a lot of favours in the eyes of [Villa owner] Randy Lerner who is quite hot on these things.

"It's not true that they coveted Hughes last summer. I understand Fulham are also unimpressed by Hughes's behaviour in the last 24 hours or so. I would say the odds against Mark Hughes have lengthened over the last few hours in terms of being Villa manager.

"It's a bit of a myth Lerner doesn't want managers under contract. What he'll do is approach the club and say we want to talk to your manager and that brings in [Everton boss] David Moyes.

"There are also free agents - Steve McClaren, Martin Jol, Rafa Benitez - but being a free agent is not getting them extra bonus points in the eyes of Randy Lerner. They'll have no qualms about approaching a club for a manager that's under contract."

I can imagine Randy on the phone to Everton would sound something like this:

Randy: Hi Bill, this is Randy Lerner here from Aston Villa
Bill Kenwright: Alright Laar Randy
Randy: Listen Bill, we are keen on having David Moyes come to Aston Villa and would like to negotiate the opportunity to speak to him.
Bill Kenwright: I'm sorry Randy, we'd like to keep him here and can't give you that blessing.
Randy: Ok, thanks for your time.

I honestly think Randy has enough class about him that he wouldn't be a shit about it.

If the Bent transfer has told us anything, it's that the next line of the conversation would likely be "how much would it cost us for you to give us that blessing?"