Hughes makes surprise return to management in English fourth tier

English fourth tier side Bradford City have appointed Mark Hughes as their new manager until 2024.

Hughes, who has managed Manchester City, Stoke and Southampton with distinction in the Premier League, has been in the wilderness since leaving Saints in 2018.

The former Wales manager, 58, returns to the dugout at Valley Parade following Derek Adams' sacking and inherits a side sitting 15th in League Two with 13 games left this season.

He will take training for the first time on Friday and be in charge of the game with Mansfield on Saturday.

He told the club's official website: "I am really pleased to be here and am looking forward to the role, and the job in hand. It has been an exciting few days.

"It is maybe a little bit of a surprise that I have come in, but do not be put off by that!

"I am here for a reason: to make Bradford City a team people want to come and watch - and are proud to watch.

"The supporters come in their numbers, and that is the thing I have missed since being out of management. I am looking forward to the matchday, getting that adrenaline flowing and interacting with the crowd.

"Certainly, from now until the end of the year, we just want to finish strongly and see where that takes us.

"We want to move the club and everybody with it forward, and hope we can have the success everyone wants."

Only six men have managed more Premier League games than Hughes, whose career has taken him to Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Southampton.

He also had a distinguished playing career with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Bradford chief executive officer Ryan Sparks called it one of the most "significant appointments in the club's history".

He said: "We are delighted to