• Premier League

Hughes coy on Everton speculation

ESPN staff
May 9, 2013
Mark Hughes was sacked by Queens Park Rangers in November 2012 after ten months in charge © PA Photos
Enlarge

Former Manchester United and Everton player Mark Hughes believes he would have the right abilities to manage the Toffees should David Moyes replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

Hughes spent two seasons at Goodison Park towards the end of his career, scoring a solitary goal in 16 appearances for the club.

However, the former Blackburn, Manchester City and Wales boss remains philosophical over his chances of filling Moyes' shoes should the Scot make the move to United.

"It's not happened yet," Hughes told Sky Sports. "When one manager leaves, there's opportunity for other managers who are currently out of work which includes myself.

"It's a great club. It's a club that I've had the fortune to play for and really enjoyed my time there. I got close to playing for them a number of times but eventually made it towards the back end of my career and had a great period there.

"Whoever gets that opportunity, it's a big role. It's a big club and big shoes to fill because David Moyes has done an excellent job there.

"It's been done under difficult circumstances, sometimes with a lack of funds, but he's [Moyes] done a really marvellous job there. So whoever goes in there, it's very similar to David's situation if David goes to Manchester United. He's got big shoes to fill.

"It's an opportunity for somebody. I back my abilities, it's a big job in the Premier League. There's only a certain amount of the 20 jobs available so everybody wants to work in the Premier League."

Hughes was sacked by Queens Park Rangers in November 2012 with the club bottom of the Premier League, and has not had another managerial position since. The Welshman, who enjoyed a seven-year spell as a key player under Ferguson at United, believes Moyes would be an ideal replacement for British football's most successful manager.

"I think David seems to be cut from the same cloth as Sir Alex, I think maybe that's the attraction United see in him," Hughes said. "They want continuity.

"They've had unprecedented success in the last 25 or 26 years with Sir Alex and if they think they can get a similar character and a similar personality into the club then it would make sense to get that type of person in.

"Obviously David seems to tick a lot of the boxes that United are looking for. He's had a great period of longevity at a previous club and that is what United are used to. Hopefully David can replicate that if it is him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices