Football FanCast columnist Rob Facey wonders whether Mark Hughes is capable of finishing in the top six, and wonders whether City could have achieved the same goal with Sven?

Mark Hughes was officially unveiled today at Eastlands with Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra wasting no time in setting the former Wales and Blackburn Rovers boss a target of a top six finish for the coming season.

Qualification for Europe is Mark Hughes' aim, reports The Guardian, who will also be handed £50m to improve the squad.

Bearing in mind this is more than will be available at any of the Big Four this summer, Hughes will be required to deliver instant results.

Executive chairman, Gary Cook, has stated that Hughes, who has signed a three year contract, is all part of Shinawatra's plan to transform Man City into one of the Premier League's strongest clubs.

"In our view he is the brightest young manager in the game," Cook said.

"He made it clear to us from the moment we met that he shared our vision and ambition to make City one of the top sides in the country."

But can Hughes achieve where Eriksson failed?

The Swede, who has since been appointed as manager of the Mexico national team, started last season strongly and led the Premier League in the opening stages. However, the side fell off the pace following a huge defeat at Stamford Bridge and never truly recovered.

The £50m Hughes will receive will go some way to easing the pressure, but how much control he has over transfer's remains in doubt. CSKA Moscow striker Jo is expected to join in the region of £18m, a transfer Hughes has not been involved with, which will eat into this transfer kitty. How will Hughes cope with players being brought for him after having total control at Ewood Park?

Is a top six finish too much to ask in Hughes' first season? Is this money had been given to Eriksson, would the club have stood a chance, or are they better off with the Welshman?

Shinawatra has admitted he is willing to make ruthless decisions - will he wield the axe again next summer should Hughes fail to make the grade?