Mark Hughes, the new manager of Blackburn Rovers, admitted the Ewood Park post was an opportunity he ”couldn’t afford to miss”.
Hughes was appointed last night following a few hours of negotiations after the Football Association of Wales gave Rovers permission to speak to their national coach.
”It has all happened very quickly and I am delighted to be here,” he said.
”It is a club I know, I know the people here. They had an indication of what I can offer as well, they have obviously seen my work.
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”It was an opportunity I couldn’t afford to let pass by.
”It was important at this stage of my career to make a move and this was the right time for me.”
There had been some confusion over whether Hughes wanted the job as reports on Monday hinted he was happy to stay with Wales, only for his agent to come out on Tuesday and admit he was interested.
The former Manchester United and Barcelona forward explained how such an apparent U-turn had come about.
”There was a little bit in the press on Monday from quotes I had made at a different time. Those were misinterpreted and regurgitated, which caused a bit of problem for me. Since that point everyone was clear I was interested in the post,” he added.
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”Once Blackburn had permission from the FA of Wales things happened very quickly.”
John Williams, the Blackburn chief executive, revealed Hughes had always been the club’s prime target.
”We are delighted we have been able to land our unanimous first choice,” he said.
”Mark has signed a contract which is a two-year fixed term followed by a 12-month rolling term, which effectively means he has a three-year stewardship.”
Williams confirmed Hughes will remain as part-time Wales manager until after next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Poland and England.
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”Mark will be manager of Wales for the forthcoming double header in October and thereafter his full contractual relationship with the FAW will be terminated,” said Williams.
Hughes is now preparing for the Barclays Premiership match against Portsmouth.
”I know the club and what it’s got to offer,” he said.
”It’s a wonderful environment and I’m sure I’ll be able to utilise all the club has to offer.”
Asked whether he had taken the opportunity to speak to any of the Blackburn players, Hughes stressed that the hurried nature of the negotiations had left him with little time to do so.
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He was due to meet the squad this afternoon at their Brockhall training ground.
”I haven’t spoken to anybody. Obviously I’m going to Brockhall after this and I’ll reacquaint with everyone there.
”I had a good time here and made a lot of friends.”
Splitting his commitment between Blackburn and Wales was clearly only ever going to be a short-term arrangement, to allow the FAW time to appoint a successor.
He is pleased to be taking charge for the next two matches, however.
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”I don’t think it’s a problem,” said Hughes.
”The Welsh games I’m all prepared for. Everything’s in place.
”In my time at Blackburn everything will be focused on the games in front of us. In international week, my focus will change.”
From the middle of October, Blackburn will have Hughes to themselves and the 40-year-old is looking forward to getting his teeth stuck into the job.
”I’ve no doubt that the day-to-day job of running the club will be different but I’ve no fears about it,” he said.
”If people say, ‘You haven’t got club experience’, then I’d agree, but if people says, ‘You’ve no experience’, I’d disagree.”
Mark Bowen, who has been assistant to Hughes with Wales, joins him at Ewood Park.
”I’m delighted that Mark is going to join me,” said Hughes.
”I’m looking to add to the backroom staff and hopefully in the next few days we’ll have news on that.”
Hughes suggested that he would have walked away from the Wales job immediately, before the England and Poland games, if that had been the FAW’s wish.
”That decision had to be the Welsh FA’s,” he added.
”I know this is the right decision. I’m delighted that they feel I should be in place for those two games.
”I’ve had a fantastic relationship with the FAW. We’ve been able to move the whole organisation and the whole perception of Welsh football over my time there.
”Whatever I’ve asked for, they’ve backed me. I hope we go out on a high and I’m sure we will.
”It’s a job I’ve put everything into. I’ve got great staff who I’ve worked with for the past five years. It’s been a wrench (to leave). I hope they understand it’s time to move on.”
Hughes has been tipped for several jobs in the past, most notably at Southampton, another of his former clubs.
”It’s just a case of an opportunity which has presented itself,” said Hughes, excited about the talent in the Blackburn squad.
”It’s got great quality,” he added.
”Obviously I’ll have my own ideas about players and there will be players arriving, but it’s a case of looking at what you’ve got and ensuring that we get the best out of them.
”My management style is my own. I’ve been fortunate to work with great managers as a player.
”I’m not going to be something I’m not. I’ll be myself and that’s the way I’ve always approached it. I’ve had good results up to this point.”
Blackburn’s faltering start to the season had prompted suggestions that Graeme Souness might have come under threat, had he not left the club last week to join Newcastle United.
They have taken just two points from five matches so far, leaving only Crystal Palace beneath them in the Premiership
”I think it’s very early in the season,” said a cautious Hughes.
With Portsmouth the visitors to Ewood Park on Saturday, Hughes is hoping to begin in style.
”It’s a difficult one, but I’d like to think we’d go into the game in good heart,” he added.
”The club has been in turmoil for the past week and a half but hopefully everyone will be pulling in the same direction now.”
Bowen, the former Birmingham City assistant coach, stressed his focus now was on improving Blackburn.
”I’m pleasantly surprised to come to a fantastic club like Blackburn. There had been speculation over the last 10 days and you are always hopeful,” he said.
”I’m really looking forward to it. This is where my job is, I haven’t spoken to Wales (about joining Hughes for the two World Cup qualifiers) but my job here is to get the best out of the squad at Blackburn Rovers.”