A surprise appointment came in for Belgium today after Head Coach Georges Leekens left yesterday, as the FA has entrusted Patrick Hughes into the fold. Patrick Hughes has British and Belgian nationality and Passports, and speaks French and Flemish Dutch fluently, with enough German to see him through.
Belgium are unlikely to do anything at all in the near future, so it is up to Hughes to push for the unexpected, and put some fertiliser onto Belgian soil, to help them grow.
When unveiled by the FA, he announced that a more in depth Press Conference would come later, but he just wanted to say hi.
"I have to tell you that I've had a few drinks to calm my nerve for this", he said, at the beginning of a short and jovial Press Conference. It is thought, however that deep scrutiny will mark his first few weeks, his comments to the press in the next Press Conference, and certainly his first few matches.
---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 PM ----------
New Belgium manager Patrick Hughes has swept through his first Press Conference with few talking points.
With just 7 questions to answer, it was never going to be hard, and indeed, he swept through with quick and heartfelt answers, saying that this was his dream, and that he would bring attractive football in Belgium.
He then went onto questions where he could preen his ego, claiming that he could hit the ground running, and that he thrived under pressure.
On the player and staff issue, he confirmed that Timmy Simons would stay on as captain and that he would pick who he thinks deserves to play. He then said that a couple more staffing additions could be in order.
His final comment was that he would do a monthly blog on the Belgian FA's website about being the manager..
---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 PM ----------
Hello, I'm Patrick Hughes, the new manager of the National Team of Belgium. Nothing much has happened in the last month or so apart from the addition of an U19 manager in Frederic Peiremans (BEL) and a physio in Rinus Louwers (NED).
Apart from this, nothing has happened. This month we play one match, at home to Malta in a friendly.
See you next month!
Patrick Hughes.
Belgium are unlikely to do anything at all in the near future, so it is up to Hughes to push for the unexpected, and put some fertiliser onto Belgian soil, to help them grow.
When unveiled by the FA, he announced that a more in depth Press Conference would come later, but he just wanted to say hi.
"I have to tell you that I've had a few drinks to calm my nerve for this", he said, at the beginning of a short and jovial Press Conference. It is thought, however that deep scrutiny will mark his first few weeks, his comments to the press in the next Press Conference, and certainly his first few matches.
---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 PM ----------
Hughes Thrives in Opening Conference
New Belgium manager Patrick Hughes has swept through his first Press Conference with few talking points.
With just 7 questions to answer, it was never going to be hard, and indeed, he swept through with quick and heartfelt answers, saying that this was his dream, and that he would bring attractive football in Belgium.
He then went onto questions where he could preen his ego, claiming that he could hit the ground running, and that he thrived under pressure.
On the player and staff issue, he confirmed that Timmy Simons would stay on as captain and that he would pick who he thinks deserves to play. He then said that a couple more staffing additions could be in order.
His final comment was that he would do a monthly blog on the Belgian FA's website about being the manager..
---------- Post added at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 PM ----------
Hello, I'm the Manager
Hello, I'm Patrick Hughes, the new manager of the National Team of Belgium. Nothing much has happened in the last month or so apart from the addition of an U19 manager in Frederic Peiremans (BEL) and a physio in Rinus Louwers (NED).
Apart from this, nothing has happened. This month we play one match, at home to Malta in a friendly.
See you next month!
Patrick Hughes.
