EVERY football fan has their own favourite memory of Mark Hughes.

For Wales supporters, it's the stunning volley he scored while almost horizontal in a World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wrexham in 1986.

Manchester United followers may recall the two goals he bagged in their European Cup Winners' Cup final victory over Barcelona in 1991.

And for Blackburn Rovers fan, who could forget his inspirational performance in the Worthington Cup final triumph of 2002?

But the one quality that has characterised Hughes's career as a player and international manager is an incredible will to succeed.

To put it simply, Mark Hughes is a winner and it's that one characteristic, above everything else, which made him the overwhelming choice to succeed Graeme Souness.

As a striker Hughes was uncompromising and relied as much on his Herculean strength as he did on skill.

Although he will be remembered for famous acrobatic volleys, he also took the game to defenders with a unique physical style.

The Wales striker took his first steps on the road to fame and fortune when he signed professional terms with United in 1980 and his performances soon earned him a move to Spanish giants Barcelona in 1986.

After an unhappy stay with the Catalan club, the player nicknamed 'Sparky' then returned to Old Trafford two years later after a loan spell at Bayern Munich.

His second spell with the Reds coincided with an era when Alex Ferguson, for whom a knighthood was to come later, was rebuilding the club while under intense pressure to win trophies.

Mark Robins was always credited with 'saving' Ferguson's job with a winner against Nottingham Forest in the 1990 FA Cup third round - but it was Hughes who rescued them in the final that year when they were losing to Crystal Palace.

United were unstoppable after that season. They beat Barcelona 2-1 in the European Cup Winners' Cup final the following year with Hughes scoring both goals against his old side.

By the time he left Old Trafford for Chelsea in 1995, United dominated the Premiership and Hughes had also picked up a league and cup double.

Clubs were eager to sign a proven winner and in his final years as a player he was on the books at Chelsea, Southampton, Everton and then of course Rovers, whom he helped to lead back into the Premiership.

The respect he had as a player made him an obvious candidate to enter management when he retired - and Hughes managed to gain experience while he was still playing.

He took temporary joint-charge of Wales with Neville Southall in 2000 and was appointed full-time manager later that year after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.

His retirement as a player in 2002 then sparked an amazing up-turn in Welsh fortunes.

The World Cup qualifying campaign for Japan and Korea had been woeful, but their bid to reach Euro 2004 started with huge promise.

Players were impressed with Hughes' attention to detail - not just in training but in discipline and organisation.

Suddenly players were eager to play for their country, rather than using the international week to recover from injury niggles.

There was a group of young players - including Simon Davies and Jason Koumas - who entered a tricky qualifying group without fear.

There was also a game plan. John Hartson's height and strength could be used for a direct style, and the pace of Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs offered an alternative approach.

Wales were unbeaten for a calendar year in 2002.

Their impressive streak of form included friendly draws with Argentina, Croatia and the Czech Republic, and a 1-0 win against Germany at the Millennium Stadium.

Hughes guided his side to three wins out of three at the start of their qualifying campaign - including a 2-1 win against European football giants Italy.

Goals from Davies and Bellamy made the Azzurri look ordinary and Wales supporters were dreaming of competing at the European Championships in Portugal.

But the form of 2002 was a total contrast to 2003. Two defeats to Serbia & Montenegro and a draw against Finland meant their last hope of qualifying for Euro 2004 was through a play-off with Russia.

After a goalless draw in Moscow, Russia were 1-0 winners at the Millennium Stadium and Wales' hopes were dashed.

Their faint hopes of a reprieve were denied by FIFA who refused to overturn the result even though a Russia player had failed a drugs test.

It was at that point, perhaps, that Hughes began to realise he had taken Wales as far as he could.

He had always made it clear his dream was to manage a club in the Premiership eventually and when Rovers came calling, their offer proved impossible to resist.

Now John Williams and the Rovers board are hoping a man who made a career out of galvanising struggling sides can do the same again at Ewood Park.

For Hughes, the time was right to make a career change. For Hughes, the time is now.