Hughton Set to Replace McLeish

Hughton and Jol at Spurs

Chris Hughton is set to his own way and expected to be confirmed as Birmingham City's new manager in the next 24 hours.

Following the appointment of Martin Jol as Fulham manger there was a suggestion that he might link up again with the his former Spurs boss. 

Hughton is close to tying up a deal to become Alex McLeish's replacement at St Andrew's. The former Newcastle United manager is believed to have edged ahead of Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to take charge of Blues.

Hughton has been out of football since parting company with Newcastle after a 3-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in early December despite the Magpies being in mid-table in the Premier League in their first year back in the top flight following promotion.

He has impressed Birmingham's acting chairman, Peter Pannu, when being interviewed during the past few days and City's owner, Carson Yeung, is expected to ratify Hughton's arrival.

It will be Yeung's first managerial appointment since taking control of Blues during the early part of the 2009-10 campaign.

Hughton will have the task of picking up the pieces at City after McLeish, who has taken over as manager of Aston Villa, resigned nine days ago.

Yeung is looking for Blues to regain their Premier League status at the first attempt, as was made clear to McLeish in a statement issued at the end of the season.

Hughton has plenty of experience at Championship level and guided Newcastle to promotion 13 months ago as champions. He was previously a member of the coaching staff at Tottenham and has also worked with the Republic of Ireland.

Hughton Hopeful in Job Hunt

Chris Hughton is ready for a return to management - and hoping for an opportunity at 'the highest level possible'.

The 52-year-old former Republic of Ireland international has been out of work since leaving Newcastle in December, with the Magpies lying 11th in the Barclays Premier League table at the time.

Hughton has enjoyed the break - but with three Premier League teams currently managerless he is hoping for a return to the game soon.

On the look-out: Chris Hughton has enjoyed his break from management but is itching to get back again now

He told Sky Sports News: 'I've enjoyed the period of time I've had out (of management)... but I feel I've been ready for quite some time. I've always said I'd like to get back in at the right time and at the highest level possible.

Chelsea, Fulham and Aston Villa are all seeking a new manager and Hughton admitted: "I don't think there are many people who wouldn't be interested in those jobs.

'Maybe those clubs will have people in mind but of course I'd be interested in jobs of that calibre. But there is a process that takes place and I'm as aware of that as everyone else.'

Hughton led Newcastle out of the Championship last year and may also be on the radar of Cardiff, who sacked Dave Jones on Monday after their hopes of promotion to the Premier League disappeared in the play-offs.

The former Tottenham, West Ham and Brentford defender added: "I would like to think what I've done in the last couple of years would stand me in good stead and that I would be in people's thoughts.

'I want to get back into the game in a management position, I feel I served a long apprenticeship as a number two, which stood me in good stead.

'For me the most important thing is to get back at the highest level possible - but the calibre of clubs in the Championship is very high.'

Hughton added that he enjoyed his time out of the game and felt last season's top flight was 'closer than ever'.

He said: 'There were surprises towards the end of the season but I think the gap between the top and bottom of the Premier League has been closer than ever - and we saw a really competitive Championship too.'