Within hours of Eriksson's departure being confirmed by an official City statement, Rovers released one of their own stating they had "reluctantly" let Hughes speak to the Blues over their vacancy.

"Mark has made it clear to the board he would like the opportunity to talk to Manchester City," read the statement on www.rovers.co.uk.

With Luiz Felipe Scolari and Roberto Mancini heavily linked with the Chelsea job and Jose Mourinho joining Inter Milan, City owner Thaksin Shinawatra appears to have placed Hughes at the top of a wanted list that also includes Zico and Avram Grant.

Despite his obvious links to Manchester United, Dr Thaksin feels the Welshman, who managed his country before going on to take Blackburn into Europe and bring the likes of Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz to Ewood Park, is the man who can guide City towards the top four.

"Blackburn Rovers can confirm they have received an approach from Manchester City for permission to talk to Mark Hughes with regard to him becoming manager," continued the Rovers statement.

"In view of this, the board have decided reluctantly to give him permission, subject to terms and conditions acceptable to Blackburn being agreed with Manchester City in advance."

Meanwhile, Eriksson's subsequent appointment as Mexico boss is by no means a done deal after the owner of local side Guadalajara, Jorge Vergara, revealed the Swede is one of four candidates for the job.

Eriksson has reportedly arrived in Mexico to attend a Mexican Football Federation meeting in which the committee of national teams, including the top-flight club's owners, will decide who will take over the reins of the national team.

"He (Eriksson) is one of the four candidates we've been analysing," Vergara told Estadio W radio show. "We'll hand in our ideas but we won't make the decision. We'll just hand in the options we have to the committee. On Tuesday we'll be able to talk longer about this."