Redknapp Poised for Newcastle As Hughes Rules Himself Out of the Running

Harry Redknapp moved a step closer to being appointed manager of Newcastle today after his main rival for the job, Mark Hughes, insisted that he would be staying at Ewood Park.

Well-informed sources on Tyneside had indicated that Hughes, who remains the bookies' second-favorite behind Redknapp to take over at St James' Park, had privately expressed an interest in the Newcastle job. Today, however, the Blackburn manager dismissed such speculation in the firmest possible terms, telling reporters: "I have not spoken to anyone from Newcastle, I spoke to my chairman last night and he has had no contact, and I don't think there will be any contact."

Redknapp is now expected to meet with Newcastle officials later today, who are prepared to offer him a four-year deal worth £5m a year, which would also include an agreement to let him commute by plane from the south coast. It is understood that Redknapp would also buy a property in the north east, to deflect any possible suggestions from fans that his heart wasn't in the job. The Portsmouth manager is now 1-2 favorite to take over at St James' Park.

Hughes, meanwhile, has admitted that he is flattered to be "talked about in good terms" whenever any big job comes up - but insists he is happy at Blackburn. "I am in a very strong position here, I have a great relationship with the chairman and the board and that is really important," he said. "There's always speculation when any big job comes up. I seem to be talked about in good terms and I'm appreciative of that but it's just recognition of the work myself and my staff do here."

"When managers have that relationship it's a big decision to forgo that as the relationship is the key to whether we can be successful," he added.

Hughes also admitted that Allardyce's departure from Newcastle after just six months in charge had been a surprise. "It was not anywhere near long enough in my view to enable him to be successful," he said. "There is a lot of pressure and expectation with a number of Premier League jobs and certainly Sam paid the price but he's a proven Premier League manager and I am sure a lot of chairmen will be keeping an eye on what will happen to him in the future."