VIDEO: Hughes at first Manchester City press conference
11:07am Thursday 5th June 2008 in Football
CITY SLICKER: Mark Hughes shows off his new colours at Manchester City
New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists there was never any chance he would take over at Chelsea.
The former Wales coach was confirmed as the new City boss yesterday, after speculation that the London club could be ready to step in and hijack the deal proved unfounded.
"Once Manchester City made their intentions known I was very focused on getting the opportunity to come to the club," he told a press conference today.
"From the time their intention was shown, I had the opportunity to speak to Garry (Cook, executive chairman) and members of the board, and it's been very quick and very clear to me that there is a huge project here that I want to be part of, so it was an easy decision."
Hughes, who is to bring "a number" of his backroom staff from Blackburn, revealed he had already spoken to controversial club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.
"He wished me well. I had a brief conversation with him and he's very excited by his ambition for the club."
Of his time at Blackburn, he added: "I had a fantastic time at Blackburn.
"It was difficult on occasions with the amount of finance available - I knew there was a limit to how far I could take club and it's a case now that I'm at club that can match my ambitions."
