MARK HUGHES was last night confirmed as Fulham’s new manager after agreeing a two-year deal.

Mark Hughes was tonight confirmed as Fulham’s new manager after agreeing a two-year deal.

Mark Hughes looks set for a return to the Barclays Premier League after Fulham confirmed they are on the brink of appointing their new manager.

Athole Still says he is mystified as to why Sven-Goran Eriksson has become the favourite for the Fulham manager’s job when there has been no contact from the Cottagers.

IT WAS a disappointed Martin Jol who yesterday announced yesterday he would be staying at Ajax rather than returning to the Barclays Premier League with Fulham.

Fulham will today continue their mission to persuade Ajax to permit manager Martin Jol to leave for Craven Cottage.

FULHAM endured another frustrating day in their pursuit of Martin Jol as attempts to lure him away from the Netherlands continued to be foiled by Ajax.

Ajax coach Martin Jol will hold further talks with the board of the Amsterdam club this morning as Fulham continue their pursuit of the former Tottenham man.

FULHAM’S pursuit of Martin Jol continues to be frustrated by Ajax’s refusal to discuss compensation for the release of their manager.

Fulham's hopes of luring Sven Goran Eriksson to Craven Cottage could be in jeopardy after the Swede revealed he is considering an offer to extend his contract as Ivory Coast manager.

Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Kelly maintains Fulham must not be happy to just stand still under their new manager – with both Ottmar Hitzfeld and American Bob Bradley now in the frame to take charge at Craven Cottage.

CARLO ANCELOTTI is reluctant to take any joy from Burnley’s shock defeat of Manchester United because he knows similar setbacks could befall Chelsea.

Roy Hodgson today revealed Fulham are prepared to sell Jimmy Bullard at the right price.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson says he is bemused by the ongoing speculation linking Jimmy Bullard with a move away from Craven Cottage.

Georgios Samaras is keen to win a permanent move to Parkhead, according to his agent.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has revealed that Benjani Mwaruwari’s transfer to Manchester City failed to take place on transfer deadline day because the player fell asleep when he was supposed to be catching an aeroplane to the north-west.

Manchester City have finally completed the signing of Portsmouth striker Benjani Mwaruwari for an initial fee of £3.87m.

Manchester City have confirmed the capture of Nery Castillo from Shakhtar Donetsk on a year-long loan deal.

Manchester City’s England Under-21 midfielder Michael Johnson has signed a new four-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club.

CROATIA defender Vedran Corluka insists he had no qualms about sacrificing Champions League football to join Manchester City.

MARTIN PETROV has admitted the reason he joined Manchester City was because of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson’s reputation as a top coach. The Bulgaria winger, 28, sealed a three-year deal at Eastlands following a £4.7 million (€7.01m) move from Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh believes a UEFA Cup spot is a possibility next season under the new regime.

Manchester City's new owner Thaksin Shinawatra has increased his shareholding in the club to 74.03%, just marginally short of the 75% mark which he needs to de-list the company from the Stock Exchange.

Thaksin Shinawatra hopes to have a new Manchester City manager in place inside the next week - and admits he has spoken to Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Professional Footballers’ Association are desperately trying to mediate in the increasingly difficult transfer of Joey Barton to Newcastle.

Stuart Pearce believes he was starved of cash and treated like a caretaker manager at Manchester City but does not regret taking charge at the Eastlands club.

Stuart Pearce has been sacked Manchester City, the club have confirmed.

Manchester City have opened detailed talks which may lead to significant investment in the club.

Manchester City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh has confirmed the club are searching for money men to plough cash into the club.

Man City manager Stuart Pearce has refused to rule out the possibility of suspending his own player Ben Thatcher for tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Arsenal after confirming the club has launched their own inquiry into the Welshman’s horror challenge on Pedro Mendes.

BEN THATCHER has apologised for the horror challenge which could land him in trouble with the police as well as the FA.

Ben Thatcher has apologised for the horror challenge which could land him in trouble with the police as well as the Football Association.

MANCHESTER CITY youngster Danny Sturridge has signed a three-year contract with the club.

Manchester City are to spend £60,000 (€88, 500) subsidising their own fans for next month’s FA Cup tie with Scunthorpe.

Manchester City have reported a £3.5m (€5.1m) operating profit to May 2005.

STEPHEN IRELAND has verbally agreed a new two-year deal with Manchester City. The 18-year-old midfielder has recently broken into the Blues’ starting line-up and made his fifth appearance of the season in Sunday’s 2-1 win over West Ham.

Stephen Ireland has verbally agreed a new two-year deal with Manchester City.

Sam Allardyce has told Manchester City that Stelios Giannakopoulos is worth more than £1m (€1.4m).

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS will be confirmed as Chelsea's newest recruit within 48 hours after the Premiership champions agreed to pay Manchester City £21m for the England international.

Shaun Wright-Phillips looks certain to become a Chelsea player by the end of the day.

Manchester City will not let Shaun Wright-Phillips talk to Chelsea until they have agreed a fee for the England winger.

MANCHESTER City have played down reports of a £100m (148m) takeover bid by former Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson and ex-Formula One boss Eddie Jordan.

Manchester City have distanced themselves from a £100m (€148m) takeover by one-time Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson and ex-Formula One boss Eddie Jordan.

Manchester City have insisted no decision has been made over the appointment of a permanent successor to Kevin Keegan.