Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes makes shock return to football as Bradford City manager

Mark Hughes served as City manager between 2008-2009.

Former Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is back in the dugout with his first managerial role in three and a half years.

The 58-year-old has been appointed the new manager of League Two outfit Bradford City, replacing Derek Adams who was sacked earlier in the month after just nine wins in 37 games.

Bradford currently sit 11 points above the relegation zone in 15th place and Hughes' first task will be against Mansfield on Saturday.

The weekend game at Valley Parade will be Hughes’ first game as manager since being sacked by Southampton in December 2018 following after a 2-2 draw at St. Mary’s with Manchester United.

Hughes was Blues boss from June 2008 to December 2009, and was the man at the helm when the club was bought by the then Abu Dhabi United investment group. City finished 10th and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in his first season in charge.

The Welshman helped bring in high calibre players such as Kolo Toure, Robinho, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor during his time at the club, but was dismissed after a run of just two wins in 11 games during his second season and replaced by Roberto Mancini.

After his time at City, he had stints at Fulham, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke before getting the job at Southampton.

He took an extended break from football after his tenure in charge of the Saints came to an end but has been keen to return to the dugout for over a year.