Former Stoke City No2 Mark Bowen has interviewed for the Wales job.

The Guardian reports he had an interview with the Welsh FA yesterday, as well as rival candidates Ryan Giggs, Osian Roberts and Craig Bellamy.

Bowen has been linked with management positions in the past but has remained loyal to Hughes – and left with him when Hughes was sacked following last weekend's embarrassing FA Cup defeat at League Two Coventry.

Meanwhile, Charlie Adam has declared Stoke players as "mentally weak".

He told Sky Sports: “It's difficult to see a manager go after so many years together… but we as a group of players have not been good enough, and the manager carries the can for that.

“As a footballer, you do not like change, but if you look at the end of last season and then the start of this season, then it hasn't been good enough.

“Individuals have not performed to the level they should be, and as a group I think we've been – and I might get criticised for saying this – mentally weak at times as in the performances have been very disappointing."