Hughes walks out on Fulham but claims no Villa contact
MARK HUGHES remains the favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier as manager of Aston Villa despite insisting that his departure from Fulham yesterday was not linked to an offer from a rival top flight club.
Hughes walked out on the west London side after less than a year in the job deciding not to take up the option of a second year on his contract at Craven Cottage.
The 47-year-old former Manchester City boss claimed he had taken the decision to leave Fulham in order to further his career but maintained he had not been in talks with Aston Villa, who parted company with Gerard Houllier on Wednesday, or any other club.
“I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences,” said Hughes.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify that neither myself nor my representative have approached or have been approached by another club.
“This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.”
Hughes is the bookies’ favourite to join the Midlands club, but their owner Randy Lerner also covets recently sacked former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, whose achievements far outweigh those of Hughes, while Rafael Benitez, a Champions League winner with Liverpool, is also thought to be hankering after a Premier League return.
Hughes went a long way to restoring the reputation which had taken a buffeting as a result of his acrimonious departure from City in December 2009, by leading Fulham to an eighth placed finish this season.
Hughes has agreed to see out his notice at Craven Cottage, which expires on 30 June – the day of Fulham’s first action in the early qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who turned down the Fulham job last year in preference to remaining with Ajax, former England and Wolfsburg boss Steve McClaren and the currently out of work Matin O’Neill are the favourites to replace Hughes.