Hughton took charge of United in the aftermath of Keegan-gate last September and again took the reins after Joe Kinnear when he suffered heart problems.
Hughton’s record in charge during the first stint was played four, lost four during what many Toon fans call Black September.
And when Kinnear was admitted to hospital just hours before the West Brom game in February, the win at the Hawthorns was as good as it got for the ex-White Hart Lane favourite.
Fellow coach Colin Calderwood is also out of contract with United, while goalkeeping coach Paul Barron has a year left to run on his current deal and would probably be the man to assist Hughton.
Hughton is understood to have two years left on his Toon contract and is the favourite to take pre-season training on July 1, unless Shearer is offered the chance to continue what he has started at the club’s training HQ.