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Mark Hughes can forget about managing Manchester United one day, says Peter Schmeichel
Published 23:31 19/09/09 By Anthony Clavane

Peter Schmeichel has told Mark Hughes he can forget about ever becoming Manchester United manager – and that his Manchester City side won’t break into the top four this season.

The Great Dane spent many years at Old Trafford with Hughes and has been impressed by the way the latter has dealt with the pressure of being in the Eastlands hot seat.

Sparky, like Schmeichel, was a key member of the Reds team that rose to dominate the Premier League in the early 1990s.

And Hughes is one of the favourites to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson when the Scot finally leaves Old Trafford.

But Schmeichel, who spent a season with City at the end of his career, insisted his old team-mate had queered his pitch by becoming boss of United’s bitter rivals.

Schmeichel said: “It’s too late for Mark Hughes to take over as United boss. He will never get a chance now.

“I don’t think any United fan likes to see somebody who’s been at City as their manager.”

And if that wasn’t bad enough news for the ambitious Welshman, Schmeichel rubbed it in by claiming City had no chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season – let alone challenging for United’s title.

“City are not on level terms,” he said. “In a one-off match anyone can win. Even Burnley can beat United.

“But can City realistically win the Premier League? This year, no.

“And can Mark Hughes go toe to toe with Fergie? No. But I don’t think anyone can do that. For me Sir Alex is the greatest manager of all time.

“Anyone stepping up to the United job has got to win 24 or 25 trophies. And so far Mark hasn’t won any.

“He’s taken them to the next level but he’s under incredible pressure. If he’s not good enough maybe someone else will be get the chance there.

“To win consistently you need everyone on board - tea ladies, bus drivers, fans. United for some reason always have a blip after Christmas – then they always end up winning.

“That’s experience. City don’t have that experience. It takes time.

“It took United a long time to win it after Sir Matt Busby. It takes a perfect manager who knows exactly the right things to do.

“So it’s too early for City to start talking about the top four, the Champions League or titles. United have a currency that City don’t have. They have the Manchester United brand.

“As far as the players are concerned it’s about success. City have to pay over the odds to get players because they haven’t got that.

“They have got unlimited funds so they will get closer and closer. They can pay somebody £160,000 a week.

“But for a top player there’s no difference between that and 80 grand. He’d rather have the experience of winning the Premier League or the Champions League. Just because you have all the money, it doesn’t make you champions. That is something you have to earn.”

Schmeichel is looking forward to today’s derby at Old Trafford. His record in the clash is exceptional – he was never on the losing side, either at United or in his season at City.

“At the time I was playing for City, United were the best team in the Premier League and City were struggling,” he said. “We won 3-1 at home and it hurt because I am a Manchester United fan. I have been for as long as I remember.

“When you have a history with United as I had it’s very difficult to play against them for another team.”

shawzy wrote:Right thats it.Were sending ya son to Wycombe wanderers for a season or 2 :-)#

Mark Hughes can forget about managing Manchester U***d one day, says Peter Schmeichel
“I don’t think any U***d fan likes to see somebody who’s been at City as their manager.”

“It took U***d a long time to win it after Sir Matt Busby. It takes a perfect manager who knows exactly the right things to do.

Fish111 wrote:CALM DOWN CALM DOWN! It's from the Sunday mirror! Which means it is total and utter shite journalism as usual from the most rag-lovng toilet paper that is printed on.

Who in their right mind would want the job after fergiescum anyway? Why would Hughes move to the rags and have no money to stengthen, proven by the fact that they resorted to signing Owen this year? By the way, all the journos were wanking over the fact fergiescum signd Owen and called it ''the most inspired signing of his reign'' What a great success he's been, hope he plays today.

shawzy wrote:Right thats it.Were sending ya son to Wycombe wanderers for a season or 2 :-)#