OTTMAR Hitzfeld is said to be in negotiations with Fulham regarding the vacant manager’s position.

A report claims that the Switzerland coach has been in talks with the London club as they step up their hunt for a new manager in time for the new season.

Negotiatons with Sven-Goran Eriksson, who stepped down as Ivory Coast manager, have stalled due to the Swede’s salary expectations, although he still remains favorite to succed Roy Hodgson.

With a glittering manegerial career, which includes guiding Switzerland to a shock 1-0 World Cup win over champions Spain before they were eliminated at the group stage, he indicated he would be willing to work in the Premier League for a first time.

Hitzfeld, 61, is one of only three managers, along with Ernst Happel and Jose Mourinho, to win the Champions League with two different clubs, and he has also won nine league titles with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Grasshopper Club Zurich.

Although Hitzfeld has said he will honour his contract with Switzerland which runs until 2012, the lure of working in the Premier League could prove attractive for the fluent English speaker, who is also a good friend of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Alan Curbishley, Mark Hughes, former Ipswich Town star Tony Mowbray and Glenn Hoddle are believed to be out of the running, as are inexperienced duo Lee Clark and Roberto Di Matteo.