Those looking for clues about who will succeed Alex Ferguson when his fist is finally prised from the Old Trafford tiller should keep a close watch on Mark Hughes this Sunday.
Hughes’s Blackburn Rovers side travel to play Manchester United lying sixth, having lost just once this season. That is the same number of defeats as second-placed United and Rovers have conceded as few goals as league leaders Arsenal - nine.
Hughes is 9-2 favourite to take over from Ferguson who celebrated 21 years in charge of United during the week. William Hill have former United captain and Sunderland manager Roy Keane and Fergie’s assistant Carlos Queiroz as 11-2 second favourites.
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill, until recently strongly fancied to take over from Ferguson, is 8-1.
In three years under Hughes, Blackburn have become one of those sides no Premier League opponents want to visit. In many ways there are a mirror of Hughes as a player - tough, direct and with a never-say-die spirit.
Hughes had two lengthy spells at United, the latter under Ferguson, when they won two league titles and two FA Cups, and the former striker remains a favourite of the Old Trafford crowd despite “defecting” to Chelsea in 1995.
But there is so much more to being United manager than ticking a few boxes. The directors believe their club is the biggest in the world and Bobby Charlton, for one, can remember what a long time the club needed to clean up the mess that followed Matt Busby’s departure.
So how does Hughes match up against Fergie?
Would he command respect from the players? Certainly, and this respect would be enhanced by his success as a player. Look at how well Robbie Savage has behaved this season at Blackburn.
Is he tough enough to take on the prima donnas of modern football? As with Ferguson, Hughes is not one to take insubordination lightly. Take a look at those eyes.
Has he got the football brain to keep United at the top?
Probably. He has constructed a decent side at Blackburn with several astute purchases and he can spot a good player - David Bentley being a prime example. But Ferguson was already successful at Aberdeen and Hughes has yet to take that step up.
Has he got the temperament to run United? One of the most impressive aspects of Hughes as a manager is how the player they knew as “Sparky” has controlled his temper. He wears both success and failure well.
Lastly, would he be able to avoid the tabloid pitfalls that have done for so many managers? Yes. Hughes’s feet seem firmly planted on the ground and his private life is just that, private.
So, there you have it, Hughes for United — if Roy Keane doesn’t get there first, of course.
Robert Woodward, London
PHOTO:Blackburn Rovers’ coach Mark Hughes gestures during their English Premier League match against Arsenal, Aug. 19 REUTERS/Nigel Roddis
Trackback
4 comments so far
It would definitely be interesting to see him at Manchester United. I think he has done a good job at Blackburn and if he can prove himself to be a consistent performer between now and when Ferguson leaves, I think he would be a good appointment.
Carlos Quieroz, in my opinion, is probably the one who is most ready for the challenge right now though - purely because he has enjoyed two spells as Fergie’s assistant and will know how things work. He can spot good players and that is always a bonus, but the downside is his failure at Madrid. He wasn’t bad, but expectations are high with big teams (such as Man Utd).
- Posted by Betfair KidI think Mark Hughes would do a great job if he did replace Fergie. He’s really made Blackburn a team that other teams are scared of playing. It would be dissapointing if he went to Man Utd and left Blackburn though.
- Posted by Soccer StoreI’d have thought Queiroz would have a pretty good case for a crack at the job after Sir Alex. Real were great to watch the season he was in charge, they just ran out of gas at the end, and you could pin that on the transfer policy…
- Posted by KevinYeah hughes would be a good choice but roy keane has got to take the job he has the passion and now the maturity to handle this sort of level, hasnt done wonders at sunderland but nobody could do that job!! keane is on a stepping stone untill sir alex steps down.
- Posted by badger