What Hughes Has Learned From Sir Alex

By Paul Warburton 05 April 12. The Chronicle


The two square up Sunday lunchtime, and although Sparky is at pains to point out he is very much his own man, he admits the Manchester United legend has made a big impact on him as manager – not least when it comes to setting the alarm clock.

Hughes frequently drives into Rangers training ground at 7am, and his one-time manager does much the same at United.

As Hoops bid to extract something from the Old Trafford showdown, Hughes acknowledges he has absorbed the best bits of the man in charge at the Premier League champions.

He said: “There’s no doubts certain elements of my approach are the same as Sir Alex’s – I would be crazy if there weren’t.

“If I had to name them, it is his demands on players, his attention to detail – and his will to win.”

As they pass milkman and paperboy, the early risers plot their own successful headlines.

Hughes said: “I’m out early walking the dogs – it clears my mind for the day ahead. But there’s no right or wrong about whether you’re a morning or night person – although Sir Alex has been more right than most.”

The Rs boss hinted his own brand of the famed Sir Alex hair-dryer treatment, in other words a verbal blasting of wrongdoers, rarely gets an outing at Loftus Road despite the fact Hoops have suffered six red cards this season.

Hughes said: “In isolation it can be useful, but Sir Alex is more adept at it than most.

“Did I get it when I was a player there? Everyone got it. Possibly, the only one who didn’t was Eric Cantona.”