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Page last updated at 16:37 GMT, Friday, 5 June 2009 17:37 UK

Hughes interested in Swansea job

By David Dulin

John Hughes is the first manager to put his name forward for the job
John Hughes is the first manager to openly put his name forward

Falkirk boss John Hughes says he is "very interested" in becoming Swansea City's next manager if Roberto Martinez completes his move to Wigan.

Ex-Swans striker Hughes took Falkirk into Scotland's top flight and reached last month's Scottish Cup final.

"I'm contracted to Falkirk, I'm enjoying my job at Falkirk and it would have to be an official approach for anything else to happen," he said.

Martinez is expected to be unveiled by the Latics early next week.

Hughes, 44, joined Swansea as a player from Berwick in November 1989 before returning to Scotland just nine months later and later switched from a striker to a defender.

He went into management in January 2003 initially in a joint role with now-Burnley manager Owen Coyle.

Hughes won the Scottish First Division title twice after being refused entry into the Scottish Premier League the first time because their ground was not up to standard.

The Bairns have remained there since promotion in 2005 and despite struggling this season, they still reached two cup semi-finals and qualified for next season's Europa League despite losing 1-0 to Rangers in last month's Scottish Cup final.

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Like Martinez, Hughes has received many plaudits north of the border for his passing style of football, and now he may be ready for his next challenge.

"It's a massive club, I had a great time at Swansea when I was there," he told BBC Wales.

"I'm flattered to be linked with such a good club, a wonderful city and real warm people.

"I would be very interested if the approach was official."

Hughes is just one of a number of names being linked to the soon-to-be vacant manager's post at the Liberty Stadium.

Martinez is currently in the north west holding talks after the Latics agreed around £2m compensation with the Swans.

Former Wales international Gary Speed, who is on the coaching staff at Sheffield United, has emerged as a contender but he said: "I wouldn't want to talk about anything else while Roberto Martinez is still the manager."

If Swansea were to go for Speed he would be the third successive rookie manager at the helm after Martinez and his predecessor Kenny Jackett.

Other names that have come to the fore including former Reading boss Steve Coppell who quit last month, Jordi Cruyff, the current assistant manager at Maltese side Valetta and outgoing Real Sociedad coach Juan Lillo.

There are also two other ex-Swans players mentioned - former Swansea striker Jimmy Gilligan, who is part of the England Under-21 set-up and Bury manager Alan Knill.

Former defender Knill said: "You can never rule yourself out but I have a job to do at Bury.

"It's flattering to be linked with it and until I hear anything else, I'm the manager at Bury.



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see also
Wigan explain Martinez deal delay
12 Jun 09 |  Wigan
Williams fears Martinez departure
04 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Monk pleads for Martinez to stay
03 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Speed ruled out of play-off final
20 May 09 |  Sheff Utd
Speed says career is not over yet
19 Dec 08 |  Sheff Utd
Speed gives retirement plan hint
10 May 08 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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