Stoke target Hughes and Mackay as Pulis' replacement at the

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... ement.html

Stoke are expected this week to move closer towards appointing their new manager following the departure of Tony Pulis last week.
Former Manchester City, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes is the leading contender and is rated highly by Stoke chairman Peter Coates.
But negotiations with Hughes, 49, are currently at an early stage and Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay may be seen as a cheaper option to the Welshman.

Axed: Stoke and manager Tony Pulis parted company last week


Contenders: Mark Hughes, left, and Malky Mackay have both been linked with the Stoke manager's job
Mackay has impressed with the way he led Cardiff to promotion, despite the club’s Malaysian owners risking unrest among supporters by changing the club colours from blue to red.

Can't see Malky going to Stoke

No way will he go there.

No way will he go there.

Agree

No way will he go there.

Agree

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2330914/Stoke-City-target-Mark-Hughes-Malky-Mackay-Tony-Pulis-replacement.html

Stoke are expected this week to move closer towards appointing their new manager following the departure of Tony Pulis last week.
Former Manchester City, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes is the leading contender and is rated highly by Stoke chairman Peter Coates.
But negotiations with Hughes, 49, are currently at an early stage and Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay may be seen as a cheaper option to the Welshman.

Axed: Stoke and manager Tony Pulis parted company last week


Contenders: Mark Hughes, left, and Malky Mackay have both been linked with the Stoke manager's job
Mackay has impressed with the way he led Cardiff to promotion, despite the club’s Malaysian owners risking unrest among supporters by changing the club colours from blue to red.

Cheaper option? Thought Malky had a 3m get out clause? Shit reporting. Malky going to Stoke would'nt be a step up in his career,they are no bigger than us and we'd probably have a bigger playing budget.

I'm still bemused as to why Stoke got rid of Tony Pulis. I honestly thought Pulis had one of the untouchable jobs after the work he has done there. I expected more of the Coates family.

Tony Pulis has done wonders at Stoke. He was Mr Untouchable and I am baffled as to why they let him go.

I am even more bemused as Stoke clearly didn't have a plan B - an immediate replacement.

Wouldn't surprise me if they were one of the teams to go down next year

Mark Hughes is closing in on a surprise return to management with Stoke.

Hughes held negotiations with the Potters' hierarchy over the weekend and is hopeful of sealing a deal within 48 hours.

Stoke confirmed last week they had made an approach, and Hughes has clearly done enough to convince chairman Peter Coates to make him favourite to replace fellow Welshman Tony Pulis.

Hughes had been regarded as an unpopular choice among fans after his turbulent reign in charge at Queens Park Rangers ended in the sack in November.

But the former Wales, Blackburn and Manchester City boss built a strong reputation before his QPR misadventure, and is determined to jump back into management.

Hughes is expected to be offered a 12-month rolling contract to be Pulis' successor.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet and Wigan's Roberto Martinez have been the other leading candidates.

But Malaga and Everton, looking to replace Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes respectively, also want Martinez, while Poyet is locked in a legal battle with Brighton.

That has left the way clear for Hughes, who will want to bring long-serving assistants Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki with him and will be expected to work closely alongside Stoke's technical director Mark Cartwright.

Cartwright, who was appointed last year, is seen as vital in Stoke's new set-up by Coates and Hughes will work in tandem with the former agent.

Stoke will step up their bid to make an appointment on Tuesday, with a view to completing a deal quickly.

Tony Pulis has done wonders at Stoke. He was Mr Untouchable and I am baffled as to why they let him go.

I am even more bemused as Stoke clearly didn't have a plan B - an immediate replacement.

Wouldn't surprise me if they were one of the teams to go down next year

i think the negative press they were getting all the time about their playing style and their disgruntled fans may have played a part.

You really wouldn't want to go to Stoke. Sparky will as he probably needs to and its a seasons bunce. I think that Stoke maybe for the drop next season. Wouldn't wipe my arse with the Daily Femail.