Report: Coleman emerges as candidate for Hull vacancy

Wales manager Chris Coleman is reportedly a preferred candidate for the Hull City helm vacated by Steve Bruce last week.

Coleman, who impressively guided his homeland to the Euro 2016 semi-finals this summer, has been identified as the Tigers' chief target, according to Dave Burns of BBC Radio Humberside, but it's not known whether the manager will be interested in returning to club football quite yet.

The 46-year-old agreed an extension to his Wales tenure in May, taking him until after the 2018 World Cup, and has previously spoken of his intention to oversee that potential campaign before stepping down.

Related: Coleman to step down as Wales manager after 2018 World Cup campaign

The Football Association of Wales chief executive Jonathan Ford has however conceded that it could be difficult to prevent Coleman leaving should he opt to return to the day-to-day grind rather than continuing with his international gig.

"At the end of the day we do have a contract that's been signed, but like anything, if somebody desperately says 'Well I'm not going to do the job', you're going to have a tough time keeping him," Ford said.

"There are procedures and there are policies in place with regards to if that does happen, but let's hope it doesn't."

Coleman showed promise in the technical area when he was appointed as Fulham's handler in 2003, but was sacked four years later with the Cottagers hanging perilously close to the Premier League relegation places. He then had underwhelming spells in charge of Real Sociedad, Coventry City, and Larissa in Greece before taking over Wales in 2012.

Following an incredible showing at the European Championship - Wales' first major tournament in 58 years - Coleman is set to spearhead the Dragons' 2018 World Cup qualification campaign beginning against Moldova on Sept. 5.