Hughes was Ashley's choice

Jan 13 2008 By Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

MARK HUGHES was Mike Ashley’s first choice to succeed Sam Allardyce as Newcastle manager.

The Sunday Sun understands that billionaire Ashley intended to approach Blackburn boss Hughes first after taking the decision to sack Allardyce.

And sources close to Ashley claim he then made Harry Redknapp his top target only on the advice of close friend Paul Kemsley.

“I was told by Ashley’s friends and family a week before Allardyce was sacked that Mike planned to make a change imminently, and that he wanted Mark Hughes as manager,” said a source.

“The message was unequivocal: Allardyce was out, and Mike wanted Hughes.

“Clearly though, with Paul Kemsley having far more experience in football, Mike sets great store by what he says.

“And Paul Kemsley is possibly Harry Redknapp’s biggest fan.”

Kemsley was present at the talks held in London between Newcastle chairman Chris Mort, Redknapp and agent Dennis Roach on Friday night.

That meeting was positive and amicable, but Redknapp asked for time to sleep on United’s offer.

And when the move for the former West Ham boss fell through yesterday morning, Ashley retrained his sights on Hughes.