Mark Hughes to manage Fulham

[The Archer]

According to the BBC:

Fulham have reached an agreement with Mark Hughes for him to become their new manager, BBC Sport understands.

An announcement will be made by the club after legal negotiations are completed, possibly later on Thursday.

Former Manchester United and Chelsea striker Hughes, 46, has been out of work since parting company with Manchester City last December.

He replaces Roy Hodgson, who left Fulham earlier this month to take charge at Liverpool.

Fulham had wanted to recruit Ajax boss Martin Jol but were forced to look elsewhere when the Dutch club refused to let him leave.

Hughes began his managerial career with Wales in 1999, taking them to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004, only to denied by a play-off loss to Russia.

In 2004, he was appointed by Blackburn, where he took them to an FA Cup semi-final and also a place in the Uefa Cup.

He took charge of City in 2008 but the club's change of ownership and hugely increased budget and level of expectation meant he only had 18 months in the job before he was replaced by Roberto Mancini.

At Fulham, he will be working with more modest resources, but he inherits a side left in good shape by Hodgson.

Last season, Hodgson guided the Cottagers on a memorable Europa League campaign, which saw them lose in the final to Atletico Madrid.