The Wigan job definitely appeals to Royle, even though Hutchings only lasted 175 days and 12 Premier League games, leaving the club languishing in the bottom three.
Chairman Dave Whelan sacked Hutchings after their 2-0 home defeat by Chelsea, Latics' sixth successive loss.
And Whelan, who knows he needs a tough, experienced, disciplinarian in charge, is one of Royle's greatest fans.
Royle, who's also managed Oldham, Everton and Ipswich, has been linked with Wigan in the past and Latics could soon target him as they are aware of his availability.
Whelan is on holiday in Barbados with general manager John Benson and chief executive Brenda Spencer briefing him on a daily basis.
Other leading contenders include Graeme Souness, the former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle boss, who has already confirmed his interest in the job.
Whelan also rates Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd but, as revealed by MEN Sport last week, can rule out a move for another former City boss Stuart Pearce.
Pearce is not in a hurry for a return to club management and is on contract coaching the England Under-21s.
Paul Ince and Glenn Hoddle have also been linked with Latics, though, as specualtion grows as to who will step in.
The board met last week but Saturday's defeat and performance was clearly the last straw for the Wigan chairman.
Whelan said in a statement: "My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man, firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly, to take us forward in the future.
Future
"This search will be exhaustive and I will not be commenting on any names or speculation until I have found the man I want."
Chief excutive Spencer said: "The chairman felt something had to be done for the future of Wigan Athletic.
"Chris was disappointed when told of the decision, it's never nice when people have to move on but that's football.
"Chris has been a fantastic asset to the club over the years. We had a meeting after Saturday's game and the chairman decided to have a change.
"Chris acted in a very professional manner when he was told the news."
She added: "There is no one lined up, we are waiting for the phone to ring but there will be a lot of interest in this job.
"The chairman may be away right now but his finger is very much on the pulse. He's at the other end of the phone and knows everything that is going on and what will happen."
Hutchings met the players at training yesterday to inform them he had been sacked by the chairman.
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Boothroyd is the obvious candidate,but he may not want to leave Watford and join a club who may be heading in the opposite direction.Joe Royle is well over the hill ,he was the man who when at Manchester City reduced the club to playing local Derby matches against Macclesfield Town.
.....errr didn't Royle save City by securing back to back promotions back to the Premiership? The club was in a terrible state when he took over and was pretty much already condemned to division 2.
Mark, spot on. Frank Clark reduced City to playing derbies against Macclesfield. Joe Royle got us back in the Premier League years before any fans thought we would return and arguably, if it wasn't for Royle & Donachie, City would still be in the lower divisions and certainly wouldn't have attracted Thaksin. Whether Big Joe can still hack it in the top division is uncertain but he deserves every City fans thanks for what he did at Maine Road.
jack thornley talking through his bum again, big joe did an ok job at city.
Royle got CiThai promoted but was then sacked and smacked by Paulo Wanchope.
But he's not coming to Wigan because a Wigan-supporting friend of mine told me that Sammy Lee is about to sign on the dotted line.
B.B.C. Sport - "Sammy Lee takes over at Wigan on two-year deal." Starting at Arsenal on November the 24th.