Hughes makes Manchester City switch

Manchester City FC have lured manager Mark Hughes from Blackburn Rovers FC just two days after former England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson left the club.

Three-year contract
The 44-year-old former Wales manager, who gained playing fame at his new club's arch-rivals Manchester United FC, has agreed a contract until summer 2011 with City after opting to end a Blackburn reign which began in September 2004. Eriksson departed by mutual content on Monday having led City to a Premier League best ninth-place finish and a UEFA Cup first qualifying round place via the Fair Play rankings in his only season, and has subsequently been appointed as Mexico coach.

Ambition
City's recently-appointed executive chairman Garry Cook said: "I am delighted to welcome Mark on board. In our view he is the brightest young manager in the game and he was our number one target. He made it clear that he shared our vision and ambition to make Manchester City one of the top sides in the country. There is no better opportunity in world football."

Management success
Former United, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern München, Chelsea FC, Southampton FC, Everton FC and Blackburn striker Hughes entered management with Wales while still a player in 1999 and took them to within a play-off of UEFA EURO 2004™. He returned to Blackburn in September 2004 as manager and in his first season led them to their first FA Cup semi-final appearance for 30 years. The following campaign UEFA Cup qualification was attained thanks to a top-six finish in the Premier League and they have finished tenth and seventh in subsequent seasons.