City lose status, but Rovers seal place in UEFA Cup

Two former Manchester United stars, Steve Bruce and Mark Hughes had totally different 2005/06 campaigns, their fortunes dissimilar like chalk and cheese.

While Bruce's Birmingham were relegated after a four-year stay in the Premiership, Hughes led Blackburn into Europe through the UEFA Cup in his first full season at Ewood Park.

The 'Second City' fans thought that Bruce might become a victim of his team's demise, yet it was the other way round as both chairman David Gold and co-owner David Sullivan agreed to keep the former central defender at the helm.

Hughes, who took over from Graeme Souness in September 2004, steered Blackburn from 15th place to sixth. They only lost three times at home, a record bettered only by the clubs above them in the final standings.

At the end of the season, chairman John Williams offered Hughes a new contract that will keep him at Ewood Park until at least 2009.

Williams remarked that Hughes ticked all their boxes and he was liked by everyone at the club.

Hughes, a former Wales coach, has added a fine asset to his side with the capture of Craig Bellamy after a loan at Celtic (from Newcastle).

Other players who worked tirelessly for the Rovers in 2005/06 were midfielders Morten Pedersen, Steven Reid and Robbie Savage.

Bellamy netted 17 goals, 13 of which in the Premier League.

Reid, however, has stalled on the signing of a new deal and the Rovers fans can find the ex-Millwall midfielder facing their favourites in 2006-07. Pedersen is also a target for the big fish and Hughes will be hoping not to lose both of his midfielders.

Their 4-3 victory over Manchester United at Ewood Park - considered as match of the season by media and critics - saw the Rovers becoming the only club to the double on the Red Devils.

Hughes will now be keen to capture a lethal forward to compliment Bellamy. After Paul Dickov moved to Manchester City, Shefki Kuqi was looked at as a useful substitute but not a regular front man.

Nine gone

Birmingham have released nine players but hope to hold on to stalwarts Emile Heskey, Jermaine Pennant and Mikael Forssell.

Captain Kenny Cunningham, who was not expected to join the exodus, harshly criticised Bruce and the board. The defender described the team 'like a stiff corpse' with 'no heartbeat' and no 'soul'.

He slammed Bruce for starting the season with only three recognised attackers and his tactical decisions.

In the cups, Birmingham lost to lowly Scunthorpe in round three of the League Cup and were hammered 7-0 by Liverpool at their own pitch in the last eight of the FA Cup.

Blackburn lost to the eventual winners Arsenal in the last four of the 2004/05 FA Cup. In 2005-06 Hughes led the Rovers to the same phase, but in the League Cup, only to lose to Man. United.

So, the double on Hughes's former club was avenged by a place in the final at the Rovers' expense (3-2 on aggregate).

In the FA Cup, Blackburn went down at Upton Park (2-4) to West Ham in the fourth round.