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Hughes: City can challenge for title

05/06/2008

New manager Mark Hughes has claimed he can turn Manchester City into title contenders "in the next three years".

In his first press conference since being unveiled as the new boss at Eastlands yesterday, the former Blackburn Rovers coach has set his sights high.

Claiming he can match owner Thaksin Shinawatra's vision of guiding the club to the upper echelons of the Premier League, as well as in European football, Hughes said he would back himself to start delivering before the end of his initial contract.

"If we get the right players in the right positions, it is more than realistic [to be near the top of the table]," he said.

Hughes admitted he expects the job to be "high pressure", but added: "It is a results-driven business and results are based on decisions I make.

"It doesn't faze me and you have to thrive on it.

"Fans of any football club will voice opinions if you are not successful and if the team is not performing you are open to criticism.

"But I'll back my ability against most managers. In the next three years I would expect to be successful."