Hughes on verge of Fulham exit with Villa lying in wait
Published:According to reports in the Daily Mirror this morning, Mark Hughes will quit Fulham this morning to take charge of Aston Villa.
It’s a breaking exclusive from the Mirror but the betting is yet to be suspended on Ladbrokes with Hughes still available at 10/11 to take over from Gerard Houllier.
Houllier’s departure was confirmed last night and Mark Hughes was immediately installed as the solid favourite to replace the Frenchman at Villa Park, and remains the hot favourite in the betting to bet the next Aston Villa manager.
Fulham snapped up Hughes on a two-year contract last summer but it is understood the former Wales and Manchester City manager has a 12-month release clause in his contract that allows him to leave for minimal compensation.
Fulham were expecting to sit down with Hughes over the coming weeks to secure his long term future at the club, but it seems the Fulham board may be rueing a missed opportunity with the strong interest from Aston Villa.
Steve McClaren is the 3/1 second favourite to land the Villa job with David Moyes available at 5/1 and Gary McAllister, Roberto Martinez and Carlo Ancelotti all 8/1 chances.
Fulham are refusing to comment on whether Hughes is still their manager suggesting there is plenty of contact between them and Aston Villa, and the Villans could have tied up a deal for their new manager by lunchtime.
