City may move for Hughes
13 Jun 2007 - 09:43:11
Reports suggest Manchester City have turned their attention towards Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes as they step up their search to find a new manager.
It is thought that the proposed £120million takeover of the club by former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will fail, and with the new season less than two months away, City are keen to make a quick appointment.
It is believed that no formal approach to Rovers has been made for Hughes, but the Manchester Evening News is reporting that the ex-Wales boss is now City's number one target to replace Stuart Pearce.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, Sevilla's Juande Ramos and former Liverpool and Lyon manager Gerard Houllier have also been linked with the City vacancy.
Meanwhile, Shinawatra's £800million assets have been frozen by the Thai military government that replaced him.
City have asked for proof that he can still fund the takeover and there are renewed doubts that a deal will go through, even though Shinawatra's lawyer, Noppadol Pattama, said talks could continue 'in a matter of days'.
Shinawatra had been keen to appoint Claudio Ranieri as City's new manager but the Italian has since been confirmed as Juventus' new boss.
City have endured a turbulent summer with Sylvain Distin signing for Portsmouth and Joey Barton being linked with a move to Newcastle United.