Former Fulham boss Jean Tigana could make a sensational return to English football with Second Division Brighton and Hove Albion, according to the Daily Mirror.

Tigana, who was sacked by Mohamed Al-Fayed in April, has applied for the vacant manager’s post at the Withdean Stadium after Steve Coppell joined Reading. The former French star, who guided Fulham to promotion from the First Division in his first season in charge at Craven Cottage, is on a five-man shortlist alongside Steve Cotterill, Graham Rix, Stuart Gray, Iain Dowie and caretaker-boss Bob Booker.

Brighton chairman Dick Knight said: “I have been inundated with applications, including one from an ex-Premiership manager who has managed in the Champions League within the last five years. I am looking for a manager who appreciated good football and has ambitions to nurture our players.”