BRAD Friedel today spelled out the reasons why it's absolutely imperative Blackburn Rovers get Mark Hughes tied up on a new long-term contract as soon as possible.

Hughes has overseen a stunning transformation at Ewood Park, turning Rovers from relegation candidates into possible contenders for the Champions League in the 18 months since he succeeded Graeme Souness as the club's manager.

A victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane tomorrow would see Rovers go level on points with their London hosts in the battle to secure a top four finish.

And Friedel reckons the credit for Rovers' rapid rejuvenation lies firmly with the manager, who has made a lasting impression on his charges in the short time he has been a Premiership boss.

Responding to the news that Rovers have opened talks with Hughes about a new contract, Friedel said: "In my opinion, I would sign him up for as long as I possibly could.

"Mark and his entire staff have been very, very meticulous since they've been here.

"When they came in last season, we were bottom of the league but the way they have gone about their business ever since has been first rate.

"I think all the players here are reaping the rewards of how they go about their business in a professional manner.

"They are hard on players when they need to be hard on players. They are very rarely soft on anyone.

"And they, more than anyone at the club, are going to try and push us on, not just in these next 11 games, but for as long as they are contracted here because that's the type of people they are."

The speed with which Hughes has made his mark as a Premiership manager has been nothing short of remarkable, given the perilous situation he inherited in September 2004.

But Friedel always knew the Welshman was cut out for a career in management after being impressed by the way he conducted himself as a player, so the success he has subsequently enjoyed in his first club job has come as little surprise to the American.

The Ewood number one said: "I've not been surprised by how well Mark has done at all.

"He played here for a couple of seasons and he's always had a very, very good football mind.

"And while he was playing here, he was also Wales' manager so he was getting the experience.

"I know when he took over, people were saying this was his first club job but he'd been a manager for four or five years before that, so he had the experience of dealing with players and knew what to do, and what not to do."

Of all the qualities Hughes possesses, it's perhaps an insatiable desire to succeed which Friedel reckons is the most impressive of the lot.

As a player, Hughes won virtually every major trophy there is to win in the game and he retains that exact same will to win now as a manager - a quality that is also shared by his backroom staff.

"The whole staff here are (amongst the best I've worked with)," said Friedel.

"I've worked with a lot of different managers and I've played a lot of different styles of football.

"When Graeme Souness was first here, he was very successful and did a great job.

"And Fatih Terim at Galatasaray was another tremendous manager.

"When I was at Liverpool, we had Patrice Berg and Gerard Houllier.

"Most people don't know Patrice but he was another tremendous coach.

"Everyone is going to have their positives. What Mark brings with him is not only good managerial skills, but he also brings a good staff as well, and you're staff are hugely important to the success of a football club and the success of your manager.

"I firmly believe that in the summer time, when we come back in for pre-season, they are going to want another element of our game to kick on.

"I think Mark gets that from the likes of the Sir Alex Fergusons of this world, and your Arsenals, and Chelsea now with Mourinho.

"They didn't become great forces because they rested on their laurels. They've always had managers and staff that try to push the players on to the next level, and that's where Mark has learned his trade from."