Fulham have this evening confirmed Mark Hughes as their new manager. The Welshman has signed a two-year contract at the club following his departure from Man City in December and Roy Hodgson’s move to Liverpool last month.

This is a smart appointment by Fulham. Hughes has the pedigree to step into Hodgson’s shoes and replicate the feats of the previous two seasons in West London. He’ll find the situation very different to his tenure at City where the chequebook came out with regularity and the pressure for a top four finish was palpable. Fulham’s ambitions are likely to be far more modest, although building on Hodgson’s achievements will be a major task…