In the interest of balance and because I'm a bit of a nerd. Here's a breakdown of every season of Hughes' career. Excusing the current one as it is in progress. Hope this is very clear and helps to dispel some myths and prevent any crap peddling. Enjoy... MARK HUGHES: SEASON-BY-SEASON BLACKBURN ROVERS 2004/05 Premier League: - 42 points and finished 15th (remit was to stay up) - Nine points above the drop zone, 13 points off of Europe Cups: - Reached the FA Cup semi-final before losing to eventual winners Arsenal - Eliminated in League Cup second round by Bournemouth, on penalties 2005/06 Premier League: - 63 points and finished 6th (same points total as when Koeman got us to 6th) - Secured UEFA Cup qualification Cups: - Knocked out at the fourth round of the FA Cup by West Ham - Reached the League Cup semi-final before losing to eventual winners Manchester United 2006/07 Premier League: - 52 points and finished 10th - Four points off of a second consecutive season of Europe and 14 points clear of relegation Cups: - Progressed through qualifying by beating Salzburg, making it to the group stage of the UEFA Cup - Won their group ahead of Basel, Feyenoord, Nancy and Wisla Krakow - Went unbeaten in the group stage - Eliminated by Bayer Levekusen after losing 3-2 on aggregate (3-2 away, 0-0 home) - Lost in FA Cup semi-final to eventual winners Chelsea - Lost in League Cup third round to eventual winners Chelsea 2007/08 Premier League: - 58 points and finished 7th - Just two points behind sixth-placed Aston Villa - Missed out on UEFA Cup due to Portsmouth’s FA Cup win Cups: - Returned to UEFA Cup, courtesy of coming through the Intertoto Cup - Progressed through UEFA Cup qualifying - Lost to Larissa in knockout round one (3-2 on aggregate) - Lost in FA Cup third round to Coventry - Lost in League Cup quarter-final to Arsenal (3-2 AET) --- NEW CLUB: POACHED BY MANCHESTER CITY --- 2008/09 Premier League: - 50 points and finished 10th - Three points away from European qualification - Best goal difference outside the top five Cups: - Topped his UEFA Cup group again (PSG, Schalke, Twente, Santander) - Progressed to quarter-final stage before losing 4-3 on aggregate (won 2-1 at home, but lost 3-1 away in the first leg) - Lost in FA Cup third round to Nottingham Forest - Lost in League Cup second round to Brighton (penalties) 2009/10 Premier League: - Sacked in December 2009 with the team in 6th place Cups: - Had qualified the team for the League Cup semi-finals before leaving, beating Arsenal in the quarters - Did not last long enough to oversee the FA Cup run that season --- NEW CLUB: RETURNS TO MANAGEMENT WITH FULHAM --- 2010/11 Premier League: - 49 points and finishes 8th - Qualifies for the Europa League Cups: - Eliminated in fifth round of FA Cup by Bolton Wanderers - Eliminated in third round of League Cup by Stoke City --- RESIGNS FROM FULHAM AFTER FALLING OUT WITH MOHAMED AL-FAYED --- NEW CLUB: JOINS QPR IN JANUARY 2012 --- 2011/12 Premier League: - Takes over with QPR in 17th and finishes 17th with 37 points - Only one point clear of relegation Cups: - Won in FA Cup third round, lost in FA Cup fourth round to eventual winners Chelsea - Club eliminated from League Cup prior to his arrival 2012/13 Premier League: - Sacked in November 2012 with team bottom of the table - Harry Redknapp comes in, team still finishes in 20th Cups: - Was dismissed before FA Cup draw was made - Won in League Cup second round before losing to Reading in round three (3-2) --- NEW CLUB: RETURNS TO MANAGEMENT WITH STOKE CITY --- 2013/14 Premier League: - 50 points and finished ninth - Six points behind Mauricio Pochettino and Saints - 17 points clear of the drop Cups: - Eliminated in FA Cup fourth round by Chelsea (1-0 loss) - Eliminated in quarter-finals by Manchester United 2014/15 Premier League: - 54 points and finished ninth - Four point improvement on previous season - Six points behind Ronald Koeman in his first season - 19 points clear of the drop Cups: - Eliminated in FA Cup fifth round by Blackburn Rovers - Eliminated in League Cup fourth round by Southampton (3-2 home loss) 2015/16 Premier League: - 51 points and finished ninth for third straight season - Slump of three points compared to the previous season - 11 points off Europe - 14 points above the drop Cups: - Eliminated in FA Cup fourth round by Crystal Palace (1-0) - Made it to League Cup semi-final before losing to Liverpool (penalties) 2016/17 Premier League: - 44 points and 13th place - three points would’ve seen him finish above Puel’s Saints and come 8th - 17 points away from Europe - 10 points clear of the drop Cups: - Eliminated in FA Cup third round by Wolves - Won in second round, but eliminated in League Cup third round by Hull City
Love it how the media/public relations think we're all idiots. "I've got real affinity". Come on!! Seriously? He spent two seasons here where he played like ****e, was the highest paid player (perhaps with the exception of MLT) on the books. One worldie, and one tap in that he tried his best to miss against Everton. When he left, no one was bothered, he wasn't bothered and never said a good word about the club since. Now he gets offered a route back into management and he has an affinity with us. I'm not excited about the appointment and I'm glad it's only until the end of the season. For me he's no more inspiring than the last two. However given the situation that the club has put themselves in, there isn't many credible candidates with experience, so good luck to him. He has eight games to change my mind. If he keeps us up he might have a chance. #COYR #WeMarchOn #SaintHughes
Just watched his first interview in full. Hughes when asked about his philosophy and what he'll tell the players in terms of on-field performances... “I don’t think we need to show any apprehension. We have to go out and express ourselves and show the ability that we have got. We need to show an understanding and management of games, really. It’s a difficult league to compete in and every game is a test, but we have to have the answers when people ask us questions. We just need to get the job done. That’s my remit. Come in, get the job done and make sure we are in the Premier League.”
I’m not. Although tbf, I can get behind the “Who cares if he isn’t? We have nothing to lose” perspective.
Think it's relief more than enthusiasm. We at long last got rid of Pellegrino, and we didn't faff about for two weeks looking for a replacement. We also didn't appoint Les Reed's dog-walker. This season, that's what qualifies as a positive.
I think when you see the points Hughes managed to get, with lets face it, a poor Stoke team who had the likes of Adam, Whelan etc playing regularly for them it gives you hope. I don't get how some people can say that he has failed as a manager. Had 3 very good seasons at Stoke, his last points total last season of a "poor" 44 points would be fantastic right about now, and two less then Puel got last season...
I'm excited to see how he does now! Thanks DTLW for your homework...Didn't realise his tenure at City was so short. The more I read about the appointment the more enthusiastic I am. The other alternative was certain relegation so at least we're in with a chance now. Won't be easy but I think he'll get us playing a bit..We might lose a couple more than we would have with MP2 but we'll hopefully actually win a few and that might be enough to get us over the line
I would have to agree with this and have to say that perhaps Hughes' history is more perception than reality. I do stand by the employing failure thing however because there is definately a merry-go-round of managers in football where it would not happen in any other profession. I don't get why a new face isn't given a chance somewhere. Perhaps at the death of a season when struggling isn't the right time to chance it but they don't seem to change any of the faces at ANYTIME in the season late on or not.
Perception is everything aye. The reality is that he has done reasonably well with STOKE. We're not miles ahead or miles better in my view but he has the potential to at least equal Koeman's achievements here. IF he can keep us up this season.
I thought we were the only club stupid enough to go for both Hughes and Redknapp. Good luck with this **** as you’ll ****ing well need it.
Not my ideal choice but we didnt have many options. I feel more confident than I did a week ago so that is a start! Big game this weekend!
Man you maybe right.... but the board have at least made the decision that most of us said should have been made in January. He is not going to be everyones choice granted but I think most of us feel he is a better choice to get us out of the hole we are currently in.
I like your walk Arch. I’m going to cut & save that & try not to use on so many of the neggies on here. Boooo Welcome Sparky. As with any new manager, you’ve got my full & 100% support & I wish you / US well. Ps. I’m hoping you manage 11 games this season & remain our manager next. Also, 1st manager we’ve had for a couple years that imo, will have some front with LR.
