Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has emerged as Mick McCarthy’s main rival for the Town job with the 49-year-old now the second favourite, his odds having been cut to as low as 2/1 by some bookmakers this afternoon.

Town are believed to have enquired regarding the terms on which Holloway could be prised from Bloomfield Road after three and a half years in which he has taken them into the Premier League for one season and to last May’s Championship play-off final, where they lost to West Ham.

According to reports at the weekend, that would cost the Blues £500,000 with chief executive Simon Clegg having confirmed that Town would be willing to pay compensation in order to get who they felt was the right man for the job.

The one-time Bristol Rovers, QPR and Plymouth boss is also believed to have been interesting Burnley, Blackburn and Crystal Palace.

Ex-Wolves, Sunderland, Republic of Ireland and Millwall manager McCarthy, who is understood to have flown back to the UK from a spell away in Portugal earlier this week, has been the frontrunner to succeed Paul Jewell ever since reports of talks with the Blues first emerged on Friday. He remains odds-on at the few bookmakers not to have suspended betting on the market.

However, it is not yet a done deal with Clegg confirming that interviews with the shortlisted candidates are currently taking place. Town are hopeful of coming to a resolution before the weekend.

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 17:23 - Oct 30 Could be tight, knowing Clegg he'll come out the door for a press conference tomorrow with someone like Megson alongside him
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AndrewPC added 17:24 - Oct 30 Holloway is Plan B if negotiations with McCarthy fall apart.
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bluefeast added 17:24 - Oct 30 Hmm , well when you look at motivators Macarthy and Holloway both have what it takes. But for completely different reasons. Both would change many things and that can only be good as that is whats needed.
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karls_dad added 17:26 - Oct 30 For the love of all things blue make it Ollie, he is the man to sort this dross out! Never have i admired a manager more, he says it how it is, exactly what we need down at Portman rd, and he won,t take no crap from Cleggy!
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TractorCam added 17:26 - Oct 30 I would be quite happy with either of the two though, COYB!
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sudburyblue16 added 17:27 - Oct 30 Love the idea of Holloway but not sure he's the type of manager we need right now. We need someone to come in and grab the club by the scruff of the neck. And that man is MM.
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casanovacrow added 17:28 - Oct 30 11/8 @ stan james its all just speculation but who has a better voice to say "tractor boys" ?
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roytheboy added 17:29 - Oct 30 My preference would be Ian Holloway, however Mick Mc'Carthy wouldn't be a bad choice.
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MooseJuice added 17:30 - Oct 30 Holloway would be my number one choice as Blackpool play some great football and he has discovered and developed some gems like Phillips, Ince and Adam. I would be happy with McCarthy as I'm sure he would sort this team out straight away. I am just of the opinion that Holloway could probably take the club forward as a whole better out of the two. Definitely one of these two though for me please.

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reusersfreekicks added 17:31 - Oct 30 Yes please better football and more a man of today's football
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Duncan added 17:32 - Oct 30 I really can't pick between these two they both have great personalities which is just what we need - if this is true that we could get one of these two it could be third time lucky for Clegg n Evans
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Jackie added 17:32 - Oct 30 outrageous, contagious, splendiferous
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Fatboy added 17:35 - Oct 30 Can you bring Matt Philips and Tom Ince with you, please?
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jpsmith added 17:35 - Oct 30 I am not sure that micks the man for us, but I agree with most they would put a rocket up the backsides of the team. Which is what we really need! Isn't McCarthys style of football a bit drab? Wolves have hardly set the world alite in recent times have they. However, he did fall out with keane some cant be a bad chap
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Taricco_Fan added 17:36 - Oct 30 Happy with either candidate. Both what we need in different ways.
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TotalBlue added 17:37 - Oct 30 Dont mind either but PLEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! some one quick needs to taking his first training session tomorrow afternoon...
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irishtim added 17:39 - Oct 30 Any chance we could have both lol. We need them the mess we are in.
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wokingblue added 17:40 - Oct 30 Ollie, Ollie, Ollie - oiy, oiy, oiy!!!!
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Michael11 added 17:42 - Oct 30 I would be absolutely delighted with Holloway as manager but i'd still be very happy with McCarthy! COYB!
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nijomo added 17:44 - Oct 30 Get in, that would be good. I'm sure he'd be keen too, if only so he doesn't have to wear that tangerine tie any more.
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mawwam added 17:44 - Oct 30 MUCH prefer this over McCarthy... Please please please!
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WickedBlue added 17:44 - Oct 30 Holloway every day of the week! Far superior manager to McCarthy
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WickedBlue added 17:44 - Oct 30 Holloway every day of the week! Far superior manager to McCarthy
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kuyski added 17:45 - Oct 30 both I like ,we need you asap
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jabberjackson added 17:45 - Oct 30 It's nice to see so much concord among posters for once I don't think there are 2 better candidates out there than the 2 that would appear to be in the frame if we are to believe reports Olly is a great character and a master motivator who plays football the right way, and has brought success on a hoestring to Blackpool McCarthy might be a safer option, you know exactly what you'll get, and he'll knock out any prima donnas in no time at all On balance, bring on Olly, this could be the job he has been waiting for!

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