Hughes gets Fulham job

Fulham had been seeking a replacement for Roy Hodgson since he swapped Craven Cottage for Anfield earlier this northern summer, and failed in a bid to prise Martin Jol from Ajax.

Former Manchester City boss Hughes emerged as the frontrunner after talks with the Dutchman ran their course, and he will begin work at the club immediately, taking charge of his first match in the friendly meeting with Werder Bremen on 7 August.

Hughes began his transition from highly-decorated player to manager when he took charge of the Welsh national team in 1999.

He won praise for his efforts in the role, although he could not quite steer it to the major championships the nation desired.

He resigned his post in 2004, taking over at the club where he had ended his playing days, Blackburn Rovers.

From there he was appointed Manchester City boss, enjoying an 18-month stay at Eastlands during which he had greatly increased funds but also hugely inflated expectations.

The latter eventually proved his undoing and he has been out of work since leaving City in December.

His new employer, chairman Mohammad Al Fayed, said: "I would like to welcome Mark Hughes to Fulham. I know that he understands my vision for the club, and believes in what we want achieve.

"We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years, and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue. I am confident that with his Premier League and national team successes Mark will be a great guy for the job."