Mark Hughes, a football manager, was born on November 1, 1963 in Ruabon, Wrexham, Wales.
Mark Hughes represented the Wales national team in 72 matches and has scored 16 goals between 1984 and 1999. After retiring from his playing career, he turned coach with the Wales team in 2002. Between 2001 and 2003, the national team went on a record breaking 10 matches undefeated, including home wins against Italy and Germany. His efficient coaching helped the national team of Wales to beat a powerful side like Italy but lost to Russia in the playoffs of the qualifying rounds of the Euro 2004.
Being a brilliant striker, he has played (1980-2002) for a number of clubs like Manchester United, Barcelone FC (Spain), Bayern Munich (West Germany), Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn Rovers. Mark Hughes had a spectacular playing career that included 606 club appearances in which he made 163 goals.
With Mark Hughes in the squad, Manchester United won the European Cup Winners Cup (1991), the UEFA Super Cup (1991) and the League Cup (1992). He helped his team become the FA Premier League champions for two consecutive seasons (1992-1993 and 1993-1994). By improving his game with every match he played for Manchester United, he played a key role in winning the FA Cup (1994) and the FA Charity Shield, 2 years in a row (1993 and 1994) for the team. Being a celebrated Manchester United striker, he played 256 matches and scored 82 goals between 1988 and early 1995.
Having become a member of Chelsea in late 1995, he helped the team win the FA Cup in 1997 and the League Cup in 1998. Mark Hughes played well for his team to bag the European Cup Winner’s Cup in 1998. In 2000, his outstanding performances for Blackburn Rovers helped the team to become runners-up in the Football League First Division (2000-2001) and win the League Cup (2002).
After completing his stint with the Blackburn Rovers, Mark Hughes became the coach of the Wales national team. In September 2004, he joined the Blackburn Rovers as manager and was successful in moving the team to an FA Cup semi-final. With his well-planned managerial skills, the team’s performance improved qualifying for the UEFA Cup beating big teams like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the process. By guiding the Blackburn Rovers to finish in the top 6 of the Premiership, Mark Hughes extended his contract until 2009.
On June 4, 2008, Mark Hughes signed a three-year contract with Manchester City and took up his responsibilities as head coach. As of August 2008, he has guided the team in 7 matches among which Manchester City has won 5 and lost 2 games.
In 1998, he was honored with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. For his commendable contribution to the sport of football, Mark Hughes was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2007. Blackburn Rovers successes under the brilliant management of Mark Hughes won him the English Premier League ‘Manager of the Month’ in October 2007.
