Mark Hughes flattered by Bayern Munich link but happy at Fulham

Posted Friday, March 18, 2011 by theguardian.com

• Fulham manager No1 target to replace Louis van Gaal
• Hughes says he will see out his Craven Cottage contract

Mark Hughes, the Fulham manager, says he will turn down any approach to succeed Louis van Gaal at Bayern Munich this summer.

Mark Hughes has said it was "flattering" to be linked with the Bayern Munich job following reports he was the German club's No1 target to replace Louis van Gaal. But Hughes said he had no intention of leaving Fulham this summer as he was loving life at Craven Cottage.

Hughes is reportedly top of a three-man shortlist to succeed Van Gaal – who was told last week his contract was not being renewed – and is up against Bayer Leverkusen's Jupp Heynckes, who had a short spell as caretaker manager in 2009, and the former Germany captain Matthias Sammer.

"It's very flattering but I'm quite happy doing what I'm doing at the moment," said the Fulham manager, who played for Bayern on loan from Barcelona in the 1987-88 season.

"Sometimes, when a job becomes vacant then people look around to see whether there are any connections in terms of past playing careers or whatever. I think there's no more in it than that."

Hughes boasts an impressive managerial record, having boosted the fortunes of Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City, who controversially sacked him 15 months ago. He has also overcome a difficult start at Fulham to stabilise them in mid-table in the Premier League, something which has not gone unnoticed.

The 47-year-old, who is under contract until the end of next season, said that managing overseas was on his long-term agenda. "If opportunities in the future present themselves, I think it would be part of my football education and something that I'd want to do," he said. "But I'm not looking to do it at the moment."