Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes OBE followed up a trophy-laden career by making his mark as a manager. The former Manchester United striker took an unusual route by starting as an international boss with Wales in a five-year reign that was ended by his appointment by Blackburn in 2004. After four successful years at Ewood Park, Hughes took charge of Manchester City who, under new ownership, subsequently emerged as the World's richest club. In his first season with Manchester City he led the club to a 10th place finish and to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup. In the 2009/10 season, he was replaced by Roberto Mancini at Eastlands, despite only two league defeats (fewest in the Barclays Premier League) as well as guiding the club to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. Wrexham-born Mark, who made 72 appearances for Wales, came close to qualifying his country for the European Championships in 2004. He moved into club management to keep a relegation-threatened Blackburn in the Premier League and lead them to their first FA Cup semi-final in over 40 years. In his second season at Ewood Park, Rovers made a top-six finish, entering the UEFA Cup. Hughes then set high standards by making notable signings including Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and David Bentley. Blackburn came 10th in 2007 and seventh the following season. In June, 2008, he was lured to Manchester City and was assured of a continuing role after the club were bought by the Abu Dhabi United investment group. Hughes then broke the British transfer record is signing Robinho from Real Madrid for £32.4m. Spells at QPR and Fulham followed before Hughes joined Stoke prior to the 2013/14 season, his 5th managerial appointment in the Barclays Premier League. In his first season, the Club recorded a 9th place finish, which was their highest position since 1974/75. This was the first of three successive ninth-place finishes. In early 2018 he left Stoke, taking over at Southampton soon after. He kept Saints up but left rSt Mary's in December 2018. Nicknamed "Sparky" for his dynamic style as a player, he won 10 trophies. Seven of them were landed across two spells with Manchester United, the club he joined as a schoolboy in 1978. At Old Trafford, Hughes won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup - either side of a spell at Barcelona under Terry Venables. With Chelsea he was again a Cup winner again in 1997, adding the Cup Winners Cup the following year. And at Blackburn he won promotion to the top flight before picking up a League Cup winner's medal. Hughes has collected three PFA awards - the Young Player of the Year in 1985 and the Player of the Year in 1989 and 1991. He is a graduate of the LMA's Certificate of Applied Management at Warwick University.