Mark Hughes on expectation, League Two and why he came to Bradford City

NEW BRADFORD CITY manager Mark Hughes says that the weight of expectation in leading League Two's biggest club will sit well on his shoulders and it is something he will embrace.

The former Manchester City, Blackburn, Stoke City, QPR manager has signed a two-and-a-year deal with the Bantams - and says he has no qualms about dropping down to the fourth tier of English football.

Announcements about the make-up of his backroom staff are expected in due course.

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Hughes, whose first match in charge will be at home to Mansfield Town on Saturday, said: "I've always worked with expectation. Other managers sometimes for whatever reason under play expectations to make it look like they've over-achieved.

Mark Hughes. Picture courtesy of Bradford City.Mark Hughes. Picture courtesy of Bradford City.
Mark Hughes. Picture courtesy of Bradford City.

"Sometimes it can come back and bite you when you disappoint people, but I think fans want to know you are trying to be successful and you don’t under-play the potential of the people you’ve got."

On what attracted him to the club, the 58-year-old added: “It’s the potential of the club, the fanbase and the stature that this club has in this league. We’re one of the bigger clubs in my view – probably a club that other teams like to come to and see if they can overcome.

“To a certain extent, we’ve probably got a little bit of a target on our backs. We have to be able to deal with that and make sure we are ready for the challenge ahead.”

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“It’s not a level I’ve operated at before but I’m intrigued to see how my skillset transfers.

“We understand it’s a league that’s demanding physically,

"It's a league that's demanding physically, it asks questions of players and managers alike – at times people will tell you it's a bit of a slog and you've got to get through the hard work.

"That's a given. It didn't faze me as a player and it doesn't faze me as a manager. I work exceptionally hard to try and be successful and I’ll try to instil that into the players as well.”

On his first managerial appointment since December 2018, he continued: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s fair to say I've been out the game longer than I anticipated. This opportunity developed really quickly this week.

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“Speaking with Ryan (Sparks) last couple of days about the role here once the previous manager departed. Asked if they wanted to have a conversation and that’s how we progressed."

"Bradford City are a city club and have got a great fanbase that we want to get energised and enthusiastic about what we want to do in the future.

“It's a different challenge at a level I've not worked before - but I'm of the view that my skills are transferable. I’m looking forward to it.

"Maybe I won't have the resources that I possibly had at some of the clubs I’ve worked at but that doesn’t faze me at all. The support I’ve had up to this point has been great and moving forward I’m sure I’ll get all the resources that I need to make us successful.”

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