Ambitions of QPR are enough for Hughes to agree deal

Having quit Fulham at the end of last season because he did not believe they shared his vision, Hughes predictably sought assurances on that front before committing himself to Loftus Road until 2014.

The 48-year-old former Manchester City and Wales boss was clearly won over by the plans of Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes, who sacked Neil Warnock on Sunday after seeing Rangers slump to within a point of the Premier League drop zone.

Reports suggest Fernandes is ready to bankroll a January recruitment drive which could see between £20m-£30m of new talent arrive at Loftus Road, with plans for a new 30,000-seater stadium also in the pipeline.

Hughes, who was heavily linked with vacancies at Aston Villa and Sunderland after leaving Fulham, said: “It’s a great feeling to be back in football and to be the manager of QPR.

“I’m fully aware of the challenge in the short- and long-term and I am genuinely excited about the ambition of the owners.

“Nobody can doubt the history of this great football club and the passion of its fantastically loyal supporters.

“Now the immediate priority is to consolidate our place in the Premier League, but beyond that, the future is very bright and fills me with great enthusiasm.”

Chairman Fernandes added: “Mark has a proven track record in the Premier League, bringing a wealth of experience at both club and international level.

“He has a great passion to achieve as a manager and has already been hugely successful in his career.

“His ambitions match those of the board and we are delighted to have him at the helm.”

Hughes, who took charge of first-team training for the first time yesterday ahead of his formal unveiling later today, will be joined at QPR by assistant manager Mark Bowen, first-team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki and goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock.

It was fear of immediate relegation to the Championship which prompted Fernandes to axe Warnock after a return of only two points from the last eight league matches and Saturday’s FA Cup scare at MK Dons.

That was despite Warnock transforming the club’s fortunes in his 22 months there, ending their 15-year exile from the Premier League in his first full season at the helm.

Prior to that, Rangers had 11 managers – including caretakers – in just over four years in what was one of the most turbulent periods in their history.

When interviewed yesterday, Warnock insisted he bore no grudges over his exit but disputed the club’s decision to sack him and was confident he would have kept them up.