FAW officials were making light of the matter last night, saying that it was “only a matter of time” before Hughes put pen to paper, but the delay in concluding negotiations is a source of increasing concern. The former Manchester United forward’s present deal expires at the end of next season and the FAW, aware that his success with the national team is attracting interest at club level, is anxious to tie up his long-term future as soon as possible.
Hughes’s heroics with Wales, who have leapt 39 places up the Fifa world rankings since last December, have attracted praise from Sir Alex Ferguson, his former manager at United, and John Hartson, who scored in the 2-0 victory in Azerbaijan, believes that the 39-year-old is wholly responsible for the nation’s swift turnaround in fortunes. “We owe everything to Mark,” the Celtic forward said. “He has done a fantastic job. It speaks volumes that Sir Alex says he could be a future United manager.”