Mark Hughes made his return to management this week, albeit not with the sort of club many expected would tempt the former Wales manager – a struggling QPR. The 48-year old had been unemployed since leaving Fulham last year, claiming at the time that he needed to be at a club that was challenging for trophies – something that has made this decision a bit strange.
The former Manchester United striker takes over the reins at Loftus Road only days after Neil Warnock, the man who led the club to promotion into the Premier League, was relieved of his position, with the Londoners 17th in the table. Fans of Betfair football will know they're not looking good.
Hughes has insisted he is delighted to be back in management and well aware of the challenges that he will come up against in this crucial second half of the season.
"It's a great feeling to be back in football and to be the manager of QPR," he said.
"I'm fully aware of the challenge in the short and long term and I am genuinely excited about the ambition of the owners."
"Now the immediate priority is to consolidate our place in the Barclays Premier League, but beyond that, the future is very bright and fills me with great enthusiasm."
The decision, made by new owner Tony Fernandes, has been made with the transfer window only a week or so old, allowing the new manager plenty of chance to bring in some new players – with funds that will have surely been promised to Hughes on condition that he took the job. The pressure will be on the former Manchester City manager to then get this struggling team to start climbing the table. Those looking at the betting should bear this in mind.
The sacking of Warnock hasn't gone down well with a lot of QPR fans and Fernandes will know how important it is that his decision bears fruit.
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