Spurs target Hughes
Tottenham want a management 'dream team' of Giovanni Trapattoni and Mark Hughes to take over in the summer.
Standard Sport can reveal that the club are in talks with the Wales coach to become the Italian's assistant.
Contrary to reports over the weekend the deal for the new boss at White Hart Lane is not 'done and dusted', as stated by acting manager David Pleat.
If the Trapattoni deal falls through, Spurs will attempt to persuade Hughes to join in the summer as their No1. These are the 'Plan A' and 'Plan B' options revealed by chairman Daniel Levy.
Neither Trapattoni nor Hughes has yet to sign a contract or precontract to arrive in the summer. But Hughes - nicknamed 'Sparky' - hopes he will be able to combine both the Wales and Spurs jobs.
The Football Association of Wales are almost certain to allow him the freedom to act as understudy to Trapattoni while attempting to steer the country to the finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The pair got to know each other following their Euro 2004 qualifying group matches and the 64-year-old Italian sees Hughes as one of Europe's most promising young coaches. Hughes will be groomed to take over from Trapattoni when the Italian decides to retire from football and when the Welshman's contract with his country runs out after the finals in Germany. He has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Premiership and was considering offers after Wales failed to qualify for Euro 2004.
Trapattoni is currently facing a stormy ride back home after stalling on Spurs' offer to become their next manager. Although he has shaken hands on the job he faces a grilling from the Italian FA later this month, when they will make it clear they are far from happy about his association with Spurs while he is still their coach. He has also been on the receiving end of a backlash from Italian fans as he prepares for this summer's tournament.
Both Trapattoni and Hughes were guests of Spurs at the club's match with Birmingham on 7 January. The Italian's attendance was originally denied, while Hughes was said to have been at the game to check on Welsh stars Robbie Savage and Simon Davies. Following Pleat's comments, Raddy Antic was linked with the job - but the Celta Vigo boss has since denied this.
