Football: Hughes is unable to pick coach

MARK HUGHES has admitted that losing the man he wanted as his new Wales coach is a "big blow." The Welsh manager-elect has been told by his Chelsea counterpart, Gianluca Vialli, that he will not be able to appoint Eddie Niedzwiecki on a permanent basis.

"It's obviously a big blow," Hughes said. "Eddie's enthusiasm has been there for all to see. The problems were always going to be tough, you can only ask so many times. From the first time I asked Eddie, I knew that in Gianluca's eyes it was only going to be for one game."

Speculation has already started that Hughes could turn to another of his former Manchester United colleagues in Brian Kidd, out of work after being dismissed by Blackburn Rovers. Kevin Ratcliffe, the Shrewsbury manager, could also be on the list, though he would find it tough to combine the two roles.