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Fulham boss Hughes defends Man City record: I have moved on

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes has defended his record at former club Manchester City.

Hughes is back in football after his sacking by City before Christmas.

Speaking at his official unveiling as Fulham boss this afternoon, Hughes said: "I was disappointed because I felt I was doing a good job, given the circumstances that I found at the club and all the changes that we had to accommodate in my tenure there.

"I think no-one else could have done as good a job as I did, given the circumstances. I felt we were fully on track with the expectations of the owners. Unfortunately, maybe their mindset changed, and I wasn't part of their plans."

Hughes' sacking was a messy affair in which news of him losing his job appeared to be leaked prior to what proved his final game in charge, December's 4-3 win over Sunderland.

Asked if he would be prepared to shake City chief executive Garry Cook or owner Sheikh Mansour's hand when the clubs meet this season, he said: "It wasn't about personality, from my point of view.

"I had an opportunity and I felt I was fulfilling the role that I was asked. In the end, that opportunity was taken away from me and there was frustration because of that. But I don't think the emotion of being bitter or frustrated by that was a good emotion.

"I wouldn't be myself if I allowed that emotion to be within me. I've moved on, City have moved on, and I'm looking forward to a great season at Fulham Football Club."

He added: "Sometimes relationships break down and that can have an effect on your position at the football club.

"I've come here, I feel very comfortable with the people I'm working with. Maybe one of the key elements to it is that I'm actually their man. Maybe that was one of the big things that went against me at City.

"I have no embarrassment whatsoever in terms of the job that I did at Man City.

"If you ask people there - people who are still there - they would agree with that situation.

"I would back my performance in terms of what I achieved there against anybody's ability to get the same amount out of those players."

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