Mark Hughes has ruled out the possibility of replacing Graeme Souness at Blackburn Rovers and pledged his future to Wales.

Hughes had been tipped with a switch to Ewood Park after Wales made a disappointing start to their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign with two draws agaisnt Azerbajan and Northern Ireland.

However Hughes said he had no intention of leaving his present post.

“I’ve no plans to leave the post, which is more than just a job to me,” said the Wales coach.

“I am a Welshman, who is as proud today of being national team manager as I was on the day I was appointed.”

Hughes also mocked those who had suggested that Wales were already out of the reckoning for the 2006 finals.

“It’s ridiculous to say the qualifying group is over,” he said.

“I remember as a player losing 5-1 in an opening World Cup qualifier and yet we took it to the last game in the group.”