Martin Ward
24-05-13, 11:59
Stoke City have made initial contact with Mark Hughes as he emerged as a leading contender to replace Tony Pulis as manager.
The Potters have made their interest known to the former Queens Park Rangers boss, 49, who would be open to the prospect.
Leading figures at the club are of the view that Hughes would be a "good fit", but will also talk to other candidates.
Formal talks with several individuals could open over the weekend.
Pulis left Stoke on Tuesday after seven years in charge. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is another under consideration but Hughes is the front-runner.
Stoke will not rush the appointment and although some at the club have privately spoken of a need to "change direction", Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers.
The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker started his managerial career with Wales in 1999, before leaving the post to take charge at Blackburn in 2004.
He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent 18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
A one-season spell at Fulham followed, before he was named QPR manager in January 2012. He saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was sacked just three months into the following campaign.
Martinez, meanwhile, has delayed a decision on whether he will remain as Wigan manager.
The 39-year-old Spaniard, whose side won the FA Cup but were relegated from the Premier League, had been expected to inform chairman Dave Whelan of his wishes on Thursday.
I live in a world where Stoke feel they have gone as far as they can under Pulis, and then go and try and get Mark Hughes...it is a strange planet
The Potters have made their interest known to the former Queens Park Rangers boss, 49, who would be open to the prospect.
Leading figures at the club are of the view that Hughes would be a "good fit", but will also talk to other candidates.
Formal talks with several individuals could open over the weekend.
Pulis left Stoke on Tuesday after seven years in charge. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is another under consideration but Hughes is the front-runner.
Stoke will not rush the appointment and although some at the club have privately spoken of a need to "change direction", Hughes has emerged as the choice of key decision-makers.
The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker started his managerial career with Wales in 1999, before leaving the post to take charge at Blackburn in 2004.
He left Ewood Park four years later for Manchester City, where he spent 18 months before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
A one-season spell at Fulham followed, before he was named QPR manager in January 2012. He saved the Loftus Road club from relegation that season, but was sacked just three months into the following campaign.
Martinez, meanwhile, has delayed a decision on whether he will remain as Wigan manager.
The 39-year-old Spaniard, whose side won the FA Cup but were relegated from the Premier League, had been expected to inform chairman Dave Whelan of his wishes on Thursday.
I live in a world where Stoke feel they have gone as far as they can under Pulis, and then go and try and get Mark Hughes...it is a strange planet