Russia’s Slutsky in line to manage Hull
Hull City are poised to make a bold managerial appointment after holding positive talks with Russian Leonid Slutsky, but are struggling to keep hold of their best players after relegation to the Championship.
Hull had tried to persuade Marco Silva to remain at the club after he almost saved them from relegation, but the Portuguese did not want to work outside the Premier League, and quit to take charge at Watford.
Slutsky would be an intriguing move. The 46-year-old did a superb job at CSKA Moscow before he was promoted to national team manager. And, although he will have to learn quickly about the Championship, particularly regarding the sort of players required to mount a promotion challenge, Hull’s positive experience with Silva means they are willing to take the risk.
The former goalkeeper, who resigned from the Russia job after losing to Wales at the European Championships last summer, has been living in London for the past few months waiting for an attractive offer from an English club.
Slutsky will benefit from the fact Hull have money to spend this summer, thanks to the £40 million parachute payment they receive from the Premier League, but he will need it for what will be a significant rebuilding job.
The main problem for Hull is that three of their best young players do not want to play in the second tier, while their survival push was largely built on loan signings. The Daily Telegraph understands that Harry Maguire, Andy Robertson and Sam Clucas have each asked their agent to find them a top-flight club. Everton are thought to be interested in Robertson, while West Bromwich Albion and Stoke are tracking Clucas and Maguire.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes wants to speak to Sunderland about succeeding David Moyes as manager of the Championship club, but is wary of severe financial restrictions. It is understood Moyes quit last month because he was informed by owner Ellis Short that he would not receive any of the £40million parachute payments from the Premier League after relegation to bolster the squad, and it could not even be guaranteed that he would get all the money from player sales.