Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores is closer to joining Stoke City.
The Daily Mail says Stoke are in advanced talks to land Sanchez Flores as manager on a five-year deal.
Flores must first negotiate terms for leaving Espanyol so Eddie Niedzwiecki, Stoke's first-team coach, is likely to act as caretaker boss for Monday's trip to Manchester United.
Stoke hope to appoint Spaniard Flores to replace Mark Hughes this weekend.
Vice-chairman John Coates and chief executive Tony Scholes flew to Barcelona for initial talks on Wednesday and the early signs have been encouraging.
Source: tribalfootball.com