Hughes devotes himself to Wales

Former Manchester United FC, FC Barcelona and FC Bayern München striker Mark Hughes has called time on an illustrious playing career to concentrate full time on guiding Wales to the EURO 2004™ finals in Portugal.

Not an easy decision
The 38-year-old, nicknamed 'Sparky', was not given a new contract by Blackburn Rovers FC at the end of the last FA Premiership season. Hughes, who has been doing the Wales job on a part-time basis for three years, was quoted today as saying: "The decision to retire has not come easily. I have discussed it with my family. I'm lucky in the fact I can retire from the game for all the right reasons."

Place in Europe
Capped more than 70 times by Wales, Hughes's last moment in the spotlight was an impressive midfield performance in Blackburn's 2-1 League Cup final victory against Tottenham Hotspur FC last February in Cardiff - a triumph which earned the Ewood Park club a place in the UEFA Cup.

Spells abroad
A United apprentice, he went on to make 345 league appearances for the English giants, scoring 119 goals in two spells with the club from the 1983/84 season to 1995 - interspersed with a season each at Barcelona and Bayern from 1986 to 1988.

Physical striker
A tough, physical striker, Hughes also spent three years at Chelsea FC from 1995-98 before ending a career which brought him an array of league and cup titles with spells at Southampton FC, Everton FC and Blackburn.

Imminent talks
Hughes has revealed that he plans to hold imminent talks with David Collins, the Football Association of Wales general secretary, regarding taking the Welsh job on a full-time basis. Wales are in EURO 2004™ qualifying Group 9 alongside Italy, Finland, Yugoslavia and Azerbaijan.