Hughes in frame for Ivory Coast

Published Mar. 26, 2010 12:33 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ivory Coast are set to make a decision on who will be their next coach by Friday, with three names in the frame.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Bernd Schuster are in the running to take charge of the Elephants at this summer's World Cup.

The African nation dismissed Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic in February and have been on the look-out for a replacement ever since.

Initial efforts to lure Guus Hiddink into the role proved unsuccessful, forcing them to look elsewhere.

Former England boss Eriksson was believed to be the front-runner for the role, but he now faces competition from ex-Manchester City boss Hughes and former Real Madrid coach Schuster.

"Yes, it's those three," said Ivorian soccer federation secretary general Heguard Ouattara.

"The negotiations are continuing and I think that tomorrow (Friday) we will be in a good position and there will be a choice.

"The talks in Paris finished last week. There has been no definitive decision at all but we think (it will be) tomorrow."

The Ivory Coast have been drawn alongside Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in World Cup Group G.