Hughes tops Toon list

Jan 13 2008 By Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

MARK HUGHES was last night top of Newcastle’s managerial wish-list . . .

But United will look abroad if the Welshman turns them down.

The Magpies are set to seek official permission from Blackburn to speak with Hughes early this week, as a St James’s Park insider last night claimed . . .

Harry Redknapp was NOT offered the United hotseat – with Newcastle breaking off talks when he demanded to commute to Tyneside from Dorset.

Alan Shearer is NOT in the running to succeed Sam Allardyce.

And Newcastle will NOT be rushed into a quick appointment.

An indignant Redknapp last night rubbished the suggestion he had not been offered the Newcastle hotseat.

But the high-ranking source maintained: “Harry raised the subject of being able to fly up to the North East.

“That was a major stumbling point . . . there was no point in going any further.

On Shearer, the source added: “An experienced manager with a proven track record is required.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle are willing to approach a foreign coach in the event of Hughes deciding to stay put.