Manchester City have moved for Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes.
The move confirms it is the end of the road for Sven Goran Eriksson as Manchester City boss after just one year in charge.
It would be a major coup for Shinawatra if he and his senior aide, Pairoj Piempongsant, could make former Manchester United star Hughes, 44, an offer he cannot refuse.
But Hughes is also among the serious contenders for the Chelsea job. He is high on the hitlist of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to replace Israeli manager Avram Grant.