Mark Hughes opens up on "reality" of returning to management with Bradford City

Mark Hughes raised plenty of eyebrows when he pitched up at League Two side Bradford City in February.

The latest port of call in the 58-year-old's managerial career looked more like an appointment that would be expected in the reality world of video game series Football Manager.

The post represented Hughes' first job in football since leaving Southampton in December 2018. And he is fully aware many will have questioned why someone who had only ever bossed in the top flight would suddenly be ready to drop into the fourth tier. But in an in-depth interview Hughes has revealed how he chose to accept the offer proposed by City because it is the "right project at the right time".

"Every role I've had, I've tried to do it to the best of my ability but this one really excites me," Hughes told i News.

"It's certainly a challenge but it's just the thought of getting this place going again that really excites me and motivates me. We feel there's big potential here but first of all we need to win games and get the team right on the pitch."

Hughes' time in the dugout, after a hugely successful playing career, began as boss of his native Wales back in 1999 - a job he held for five years.

A move into club management then saw him take the reins at Blackburn, Manchester City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Saints. But despite more than 600 matches as a manager, he suddenly found opportunities hard to come by following his St Mary's exit.

He adds: "To be honest I did wonder whether I'd come back. It got to the point where I put myself forward (for jobs) and thought 'that would be an interesting project' but I wasn't really getting the opportunities to get in front of people.

"The reality is Bradford actually asked me to come - and maybe other clubs would have had a similar answer if they'd have asked the question. But for me, coming to Bradford is the right time, the right place and the right club with the potential. It's the right project for me."

Can Hughes lead Bradford to promotion in 2022-23? Let us know in the comments

Hughes' time in West Yorkshire so far has delivered average results with four wins from 12 matches. But the bigger picture was always more important than this season, with the Bantams resigned to another campaign in the fourth tier next time around.

A big summer awaits, with Hughes knowing he will be under pressure to deliver promotion next season. As ever at this level, a flurry of players' contracts are due to expire in the coming weeks and Hughes acknowledges that recruitment is likely to be key.

He added: "Recruitment is the key, probably more so at this level than any other level. We need a good summer, get the right players in, the right ability and character. If we do that we'll have a great chance."

Bradford round off their campaign on Saturday at home to Carlisle United - and then the hard work for Hughes really starts.