Mild-mannered Mark

GeraScores, fair enough. End of.

Surlyc, I've always thought Blackburns reputation was undeserved. At least, it was deserved when he first went there but over time he evolved the team into a more creative, attack unit than was generally credited. I agree that we've got better players though.

 

Completely agree, Captain. My point was that the way people talk about Hughes' Blackburn team, you'd think he had turned Messi and Kaka into Michael Brown. The fact of the matter is that he created an effective team and you are quite right, they improved as he signed better players.

Having narrowly avoided winning a signed picture of Mancini yesterday, all I can say is Mancini is great... as it means we got Sparky.

 

According to Daily Telegraph
'Fulham face a race against time to tie up a new contract for manager Mark Hughes. The Welshman could leave as a free agent if a deal is not signed by 1 June, with several other clubs watching the situation with interest.'

Must admit we don't want another situation like last year when everyone went on holiday or off to the World Cup before sorting out the Managerial situation, with all the problems that caused

 

Two points here:
1. Who the hell puts a break clause in a 2 year contract? The whole point of a two year contract is that if you sack them after a year, it won't cost you that much. The break clause is for 3+ year contracts.
2. Why wasn't this wrapped up a month ago? We all remember the upheaval of last summer and it was clear back in March that Hughes was finding his feet.

Grr...

 

If this is not just paper talk it's worrying. Is it terms or is Hughes hedging his bets?

 

I read a few days ago that the break clause was put in at Hughes' request as a concession because him and his team all took a big drop in wages to come here. I think it possibly reflected hedging of bets at the time, but I don't think he's hedging them now. As far as I can tell, he wants to stay and can see that this is a well set-up club that gives him a platform for making progress with the team. I agree that we don't want another summer like the last one, but I really don't see it happening. I think it'll all be okay.

 

Based on interviews ive watched with hughes this season, I think the only the thing that may tempt him away would be a move abroad. Bayern have been linked with him at times, and if a suitable offer came along then I can understand if he has his head turned to a certain extent. However, I believe this is something we would do later in his career, when the time is right. As for the premier league, the only offers I think which would persuade him would be from the top six. Of this top six, only chelsea are likely to have a managerial change this summer. I think considering the job hughes has done here and at blackburn before, it is only a move to a club of that size which would be an appropriate career progression. However, due to the treatment he received from man city and considering how similar man city and chelsea have been run in the past few years, I imagine he would be inclined to think twice about this option. Ancelotti won the double in his first season in england, but is still likely to be sacked this summer. Would sparky want to go to a club like that? I imagine not.

Therefore, he is likely to appreciate the value of stability, which of the top six, only arsenal and man utd have shown in the last 10 years with regard to giving their managers time to assert their own style and philosophy. If he stays with us, he has the potential next season, on the assumptions of some shrewd management and sound investment, to assert as the 'best of the rest' if you like. Essentially we could be top of the league outside of the top six. Furthermore, it could give him a chance to manage in Europe, with us being a rare example of a team that truly appreciates the value of the europa league. Barring a huge offer from abroad and a some question decision making on sparky's behalf, he would be very wise to stay put.

 

Good points, rp, I hope you're right.

 

MAF wants to save money for statues...