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Blackburn: We wish Hughes well

04/06/2008

Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams paid a glowing tribute to former manager Mark Hughes after he left the club to join Manchester City earlier today.

The Ewood Park supremo said the club had "enjoyed a first-class, mutually beneficial relationship" with the 44-year-old coach in his three years of club management so far.

Hughes left the Lancashire outfit to take over the post vacated by former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who departed the City of Manchester Stadium by mutual consent on Monday.

Rovers had been reluctant to allow the Welshman to leave, but "he made it clear he wanted a fresh challenge", Williams added.

"He leaves the club in a strong position with three consecutive top-ten finishes and an excellent squad of players," the chairman told the club's official website.

"In turn, we have helped Mark to establish himself as one of the most sought-after young British managers in the business, having previously had no club management experience.

"We wish him well."

Rovers finished the 2007/08 campaign in seventh, just missing out on the Uefa Cup next season.

And it has been suggested the lure of European football, as well as a substantial transfer and wage budget at City, has encouraged him to move on

"Now our focus switches to the search for a successor," Williams concluded.

"We have enjoyed eight years of success and stability with Graeme Souness and Mark and now it is important that we build on our strengths.

"We must make sure it is three successful appointments in a row."