Mark Hughes in advanced talks about signing new two-year contract with Fulham

Mark Hughes, Fulham

Related Links

Teams

Players

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey

Mark Hughes is in advanced talks with Fulham about signing a new two-year contract on improved terms, Goal.com can reveal.

Hughes has indicated in negotiations with the club over the last 48 hours that he is happy to sign a fresh deal and pledge his future to the west Londoners.

Sources have told Goal.com that the new agreement will be more “watertight” than the two-year contract he signed last summer, which had a 12-month break clause that effectively allows him to leave Craven Cottage as a free agent next month.

It will end Aston Villa’s hopes of securing the Fulham boss, as the immediate future of Gerard Houllier remains up in the air. Hughes has been approached by third parties ascertaining his interest should Houllier not return as manager next season.

However, the former Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers boss has settled in well in west London and maintained Fulham’s startling progress over the last three seasons by taking the club to eighth in the Premier League, one place ahead of Villa.

Hughes’ methodical, modernistic style – which is a departure from the agitated figure seen in the dugout on matchday – has impressed owner Mohammad Al-Fayed and chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

Two more years | Hughes is in advanced talks over a new contract at Craven Cottage

The Fulham supporters have also welcomed a more dynamic brand of football than under previous boss Roy Hodgson, who had a greater focus on defensive stability.

Hughes has also got the best out of one of the lowest-paid squads in the league and there is talk that he may be given a £20 million budget this summer to re-shape the team.

Follow Wayne Veysey on