Mark Hughes: Bradford City name former Wales boss as new manager

Former Wales and Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says his appointment as manager of League Two Bradford City is an "opportunity for him to develop".

The 58-year-old joins on a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Bantams.

Hughes has been out of management since December 2018 when he was sacked by Premier League side Southampton.

"It's an opportunity for me to develop. It's not a level I'm used to operating at, but I'm intrigued to see how my skillset transfers," he said.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "It's a league that's demanding, I understand that.

"Physically it asks questions of players and managers alike. At times it's a bit of a slog, you've got to get through the hard work, that's a given. But that doesn't faze me. That didn't faze me as a player, that doesn't faze me as a manager."

The ex-Manchester United striker previously managed Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Fulham and QPR in the top flight as well as managing the Wales national team.

He replaces Derek Adams, who left 15th-placed Bradford on 15 February.

Only six managers have taken charge of more Premier League games than Hughes, who takes over a Bradford side 10 points off the play-offs.

He led Blackburn to a sixth-placed finish in the 2005-06 season, while he took Manchester City to the Uefa Cup quarter-finals in 2008-09.

As a player he scored 163 goals in 473 appearances across two spells with Manchester United, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup.

Hughes also spent three years at Chelsea and played for European giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Bradford chief executive Ryan Sparks said his arrival is "without doubt one of the most significant appointments in the history of our football club".

He added: "His record and stature in the game speaks for itself, and he has achieved a great deal. To have him in our dugout is representative of the club's ambition and desire to be successful."

Bradford have not played in England's top two tiers since the 2003-04 season, while this is their third straight campaign in League Two.

Hughes will be in the dugout for the Bantams' home game against Mansfield in League Two on Saturday.

"The intention now is to have a real go and try to get into the play-offs if we can," he added.

"It will be difficult, it's fair to say. That's what we'll try to do this season. At least if we don't make that, we'll gain momentum moving into next year."

Jamie Raynor, Bradford City commentator for BBC Radio Leeds

The surprise appointment of Mark Hughes symbolises huge significance at a football club that was losing faith among its ever-expectant fanbase.

Early season hopes of promotion out of League Two have since been washed away by consistent poor form, ultimately resulting in Derek Adams' departure last week.

The club and fans need something, or rather someone, to believe in as they look to rebuild from what has been a turbulent five years.

Mark Hughes now offers that hope, experience and ambition to the loyal faithful.

By no means will success be a given at Valley Parade, but this news offers a giant leap towards it.