Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea line up former Stamford Bridge striker to become their new manager
CHELSEA are considering approaching Stoke in an effort to appoint Mark Hughes as their new manager this summer, according to reports.
Mark Hughes is in his third season in charge of Stoke
Hughes, 52, is said to have caught the eye of Stamford Bridge bosses after an impressive stint at the Stoke helm.
He has guided the Potters to ninth-place finishes in his two seasons in charge and is on course to again end the campaign in the top half.
And The Guardian claim the former Manchester City, Fulham and Wales head coach is on Chelsea's shortlist of candidates to replace Jose Mourinho, who was sacked last month.
Hughes is said to be one of a number of targets on Chelsea's list, which included Pep Guardiola, Jorge Sampaoli, Diego Simeone, Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri.
Current Blues manager Guus Hiddink will leave the club at the end of the season.
Former Manchester United striker Hughes enjoyed a three-year stint at Chelsea in the 1990s and joined Southampton and then Everton before retiring at Blackburn in 2002.
Hughes (right) played for Chelsea between 1995 and 1998
On Tuesday his Stoke side went out of the Capital One Cup semi-finals on penalties at Liverpool, having reverses their 1-0 first-leg defeat at the Britannia Stadium to force extra time and then spot kicks.
Hughes has never won a trophy in his managerial career, having won the Premier League twice, FA Cup four times and two League Cups during his playing days.