Mark Hughes remains tight-lipped on Everton speculation

Mark Hughes has refused to rule himself out of the running to replace David Moyes should the Everton boss succeed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Welshman is yet to make a return to management after the 49-year-old was sacked by Queens Park Rangers in November following a winless start to the Premier League campaign.

Hughes spent almost 18 months at Goodison Park in the twilight of his playing career, scoring once in 19 appearances, before moving to Blackburn Rovers in 2001.

“It’s not happened yet but it’s obvious if one manager leaves there is an opportunity for other managers who are currently out of work, which includes myself,” he told Sky Sports News.

“It [Everton] is a great club, a club I had the fortune to play for and I really enjoyed my time there.

“Whoever gets that opportunity it is a really big club and really big shoes to fill.

“It’s an opportunity for somebody and I back myself for most jobs in the Premier League.

“It’s a big job – there are only 20 jobs available and everybody wants to work in the Premier League.”

Hughes also backed Ferguson’s touted successor to be a hit at Old Trafford after his former Red Devils boss announced he will retire at the end of the season on Wednesday.

“I think David [Moyes] seems to be cut from the same cloth as Sir Alex, I think maybe that’s the attraction United see in him,” Hughes added. “They want continuity.

“They’ve had unprecedented success in the last 25 or 26 years with Sir Alex and if they think they can get a similar character and a similar personality into the club then it would make sense to get that type of person in.

“Obviously, David seems to tick a lot of the boxes that United are looking for. He’s had a great period of longevity at a previous club and that is what United are used to. Hopefully David can replicate that if it is him.”