The London Daily News

The race to manage Fulham FC is almost over.

The favourite to become manager of Fulham football club has been dramatically ruled out of the running. Former Manchester City and Wales’s manager Mark Hughes failed to make the three man shortlist to succeed the departed Roy Hodgson at the Premiership side.

The three are believed to be: Sven-Goran Eriksson, the bookies new favourite. Slaven Bilic, who ruled himself out of the role in 2007 and former Tottenham striker and Germany coach, Jurgen Klinsmann.

The smart money is on the former England coach - Fulham Chairman Alistair Mackintosh knows the Sweed from their time together at Manchester City.

Ray Lewington, the caretaker since Hodgson left for to Liverpool, is taking charge of the sides friendly’s. An announcement is expected next Saturday.

Glenn Hoddle, Mark Hughes, Tony Mowbray, Alan Curbishley and Gianfranco Zola are out as is United States coach Bob Bradley.

Whites legend rules himself out

Cardiff chief Dave Jones and former Fullam hero playing legend Lee Clark, who is the 6/4 favourite on one set of odds, also miss out, along with a string of big names that was 20-strong and rising at the last count.

Earlier in the week Clark had to publicly deny an approach from the South London side. Clark who currently manages Huddersfield Tow,n played over 170 games for the Whites.