Hughes looking to move forward

Mark Hughes is focused on "moving Stoke forward" after being named as the replacement for Tony Pulis.

Hughes, who most recently managed QPR and was sacked by the club last November, was confirmed as the Potters' new boss on a three-year deal at a press conference alongside chairman Peter Coates.

"I'm absolutely delighted to get the opportunity," Hughes said. "The Coates family have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful. I'm pleased they have done their due diligence and looked beyond my last position and taken my career as a manager as a whole. I have the opportunity to work with good people."

He added: "With the passion in the area, this is very much a local club that's close to its community. The passion and real desire from the crowd for the team is obvious."

Hughes, 49, spoke about his time at QPR which ended with Harry Redknapp taking the reins after their poor start which culminated in their eventual relegation to the Championship.

"It was difficult at QPR and a lot of managers have gone in there and found it difficult," Hughes said. "Their turnover of managers, not just in the last 18 months, but historically has been high. It was difficult and mistakes were made. I made mistakes which I learned from but I felt I was given the task of keeping them in the Premier League which I managed to do.

"I had 17 games to do that and 12 games later I lost my job. It was a difficult situation with a lot of chances and if we are honest with ourselves we tried to run before we could walk. From my point of view it's all about the here and now and moving Stoke forward."

The former Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham boss hailed Pulis for the work he has done with stabilising the club over the last seven years, but said he will be looking to bring more entertaining football to the Potteries.

"It's a big decision that has been made and I understand the success Tony had enables me to have a better chance," Hughes added.

"He's put things in place to make the club more stable and is conducive to being in the Premier League and I will reap the benefits of that. I can only take the club forward as I know and my philosophy is to play football, play good football, make chances and make it entertaining for the fans who pay good money to come and see us."

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/stoke_city/hughes_looking_to_move_forward_rss4232871.shtml