SKY BLUE IS THE COLOUR FOR HUGHES

Hughes shows off his new colours.

New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists there was never any chance he would take over at Chelsea.

The former Wales coach was confirmed as the new City boss on Wednesday, after speculation that the London club could be ready to step in and hijack the deal proved unfounded.

"Once Manchester City made their intentions known I was very focused on getting the opportunity to come to the club," he told a press conference broadcast on Sky Sports News.

"From the time their intention was shown, I had the opportunity to speak to Garry (Cook, executive chairman) and members of the board, and it's been very quick and very clear to me that there is a huge project here that I want to be part of, so it was an easy decision."

Hughes, who is to bring "a number" of his backroom staff from Blackburn, revealed he had already spoken to controversial club owner Thaksin Shinawatra.

"He wished me well. I had a brief conversation with him and he's very excited by his ambition for the club."

With Brazilians Jo and Ronaldinho both linked to the club in recent days, Hughes said: "There's a lot of talk about the quality of players that can come here. If they're available at the right price I will be interested."

Of his time at Blackburn, he added: "I had a fantastic time at Blackburn.

"It was difficult on occasions with the amount of finance available - I knew limit to how far I could take club and it's a case now that I'm at club that can match my ambitions."

Hughes insists he has no intention of using City as a stepping stone.

"If I am successful here I don't need any stepping stones," Hughes said.

"It is all set up here. If we can get this place going and moving in the right direction we will be at the top end of the Premier League and competing for places in Europe.

"Now I have joined a club that matches my ambition."

And let no-one be in any doubt Hughes' ambition is to reach the very top of his profession.

"I want to be the best I can be. But I needed the means to do that. At Manchester City I think I will be given those means," he said.

"This club wants to be at the top table, not only in this country but in Europe as well.

"As a player I was involved in winning trophies. As a manager I want to have the chance and the resource to achieve that as well. It is why I am here."

Hughes was adamant he would thrive on the pressure to succeed at City. Club owner Thaksin demonstrated his ruthless streak by dismissing Sven-Goran Eriksson this week, one year into a three-year deal, despite leading the club to a top-10 finish.

"There is always pressure, every Premier League manager is under pressure. It's a results-driven business and you are judged on results and the key decisions you take," he said.

"It doesn't faze me - it's something you have to work with and you have to thrive on it."

Asked to describe his management style, Hughes told Sky Sports News: "My passion and my drive is there for all to see. If you see how my teams play you see that the work that I do has a positive impact, and that is what I'm trying to bring to Man City.

"I'll back my ability against most managers in the Premier League and I have already intimated that I think my management team is one of the best in the Premier League, and I think we can make an impact here. if I didn't think that I wouldn't have come here.

"I'm very demanding (with players) on a day-to-day basis and I expect a certain level to be attained.

"I'm consistent with players, they know exactly how far they can go. Once they understand my philosophy, if they embrace that they will thrive."

However, he did issue one word of warning. In assessing the 16 previous managers that have come and gone since Sir Alex Ferguson came to power at rivals United and, of more relevance, the curt manner of Eriksson's dismissal having failed to meet Thaksin's expectations despite, on the surface, enjoying a perfectly acceptable debut campaign.

Hughes wants to see the kind of stability that has been lacking at City down the years.

"If you look at all the successful clubs in the Premier League invariably they have a base of continuity that allows them to keep evolving and progressing. We need that too," he said.

"It is not something we have had in recent times. We need a passage of time that allows us to get the job done, to make sure we can build strong foundations that allows us to be successful."