Hughes wants Manchester City to rival neighbours United

[TheGift]

MANCHESTER, England, June 5 (Reuters) - New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes said he wanted the club to challenge at the highest level in England and Europe, and would consider signing Brazilian Ronaldinho if the opportunity arose.

The 44-year-old left Blackburn to sign a three-year contract at Eastlands as the replacement for Sven-Goran Eriksson and said he wanted to put the Premier League club on a par with city rivals United.

“At City, I am at a great club with a great fanbase and I want to take them to the very top table, both in this country and in Europe,” he told a news conference on Thursday.

“I knew there was a limit to how far I could take Blackburn, but I am now at a club that can match my ambitions.”

Hughes was a long-serving striker for United and was seen as a potential successor to Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson when he eventually leaves the club.

The rivalry between the two clubs means moving to City could damage his chances of becoming United’s manager, but Hughes insists his loyalty is now with the blue half of Manchester.

“If I am successful at Manchester City, then I don’t need any stepping stone to anywhere else because this club is capable of being a top side,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for me not only to build a successful team, but also to build a successful club.

“City needs some sort of continuity, something it has not had in recent years, but there is now a chance to build the club on strong foundations. It is a very exciting project.

Hughes said he did not think his former association with United would cause ill will with the supporters.

“I am a professional football manager and I don’t wear the United shirt anymore,” he said.

“Once City made their intentions known, I was very focused on hopefully getting the opportunity to come to the club.

“Fans will always voice their opinions, especially if results aren’t positive, but I didn’t just play for Manchester United and anybody who knows how I work will have no doubts about my commitment to bringing success to Manchester City.”

And when asked if City are in talks with Barcelona’s Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho, Hughes said: “I am always interested in outstanding players and he certainly comes into that bracket. If we can sign him, then we will look at it.”

Hughes also said he had not been contacted by managerless Chelsea before agreeing to take the post at Manchester City.

City finished ninth in the Premier League after a disappointing second half to the season.

Hughes wants Manchester City to rival neighbours United - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports