By James Fielden
18 May 2011 09:32:00
EPL,Mark Hughes,Fulham,Manchester City vs Fulham
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Mark Hughes says Fulham would be “delighted” if they qualify for next season’s Europa League after Uefa announced England would receive an extra place in the competition.
The Cottagers’ last campaign in the Europa League was a huge success, having reached the final before losing to Atletico Madrid in extra time.
On Monday, Uefa announced that teams from Norway, England and Sweden would be granted an extra spot in the competition due to finishing in the top three places in the fair play table.
As a result, the Premier League have awarded the place to the top placed team in their own rating system who are not already in Europe.
Fulham, who are the only side not to have had a player dismissed this season, currently lie second in the table behind Chelsea, who have already qualified for the Champions League.
Hughes, who was not in charge during their last Europa League campaign but has previous experience in Europe, says the club would be delighted to take part.
“If we get into the competition, we will be delighted and we will try and progress as far as we can,” Hughes told the club’s official website.
“I think we are very close, but a lot of things have to fall into place before we can say we are playing in Europe next season, but if we are, we will give it a go.
“We should embrace it, and if we are in it, we will try our best to be successful.”
Hughes took his previous side Manchester City to the quarter final stage of the Uefa Cup in 2009, and he knows what a challenge it is to go all the way in the newly formed competition.
“It is a difficult competition to negotiate because of the time frame and the amount of games you have to play,” Hughes added.
“If you want to progress you have to come back very early and start playing football almost immediately when you come back.”
Fulham currently lie eighth in the Premier League and face Arsenal on Sunday.
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Fulham manager Mark Hughes would be ‘delighted’ to participate in next season’s Europa League