Boss Mick McCarthy says it's flattering to be linked with the vacant Aston Villa manager’s job and was coy when asked to rule himself out of the running, while admitting that he is still ambitious and would “like to be in the Premier League again, however that might be”.

Most bookies have McCarthy as the third favourite for the position left by Remi Garde by mutual consent earlier in the week behind David Moyes and Nigel Pearson, priced as low as 3-1 by one company.

Premier League table-proppers Villa look certain to drop into the Championship but would be expected to make a swift return to the top flight.

The Town boss, who signed a new contract until the summer of 2018 earlier in the season, says it’s flattering to get mentioned and that it is an indication of how his time with the Blues is viewed more widely.

“It’s interesting, isn’t it?” he said. “Maybe people who are not involved in the club that you’re at look from the outside and think, ‘Hmm, you know what, maybe he is doing a good job’.

“It’s like when you’ve left and you go back. I think I’ll get a pretty good reception at Wolves when I go back on Saturday because I usually do.

“So, it’s always interesting when people mention your name. But I can’t do anything about it. My focus is here.

“But, by the way, don’t even think I’m not ambitious, don’t think I’m settled here and I want to just be here doing what I’m doing and trying to get in the play-offs, I’d like to get promoted, I’d like to be in the Premier League again, however that might be. But my focus is doing this.

“But it is flattering, if the remit is for somebody that can get teams promoted, then I’ve got a pretty good CV for that, haven’t I?”

However, asked whether it was worth putting money on him moving to Villa with one of those bookies he joked that the only one he'll be going to will be his holiday home.

“No, not unless it’s in Portugal, because I might go to that one shortly!” he laughed.

Quizzed further on whether he was ruling himself out of the running, he added: “I’m going to Wolves, me, on Friday. I want to win, that’s what I want to do.”

Photo: Action Images

Penguinblue added 06:41 - Apr 1 Don"t be coy just go. PLEASE FOOTBALL COULD RETURN TO ITFC
7

Mick_Mills_Tache added 06:42 - Apr 1 Not a 100% convincing answer ruling himself out. Sounds almost as if he's saying to them, "come get me but I'm going to act like I'm not bothered". Shows you just how committed he is to us; "don't think I'm settled here" and the fact he wants to manage in the PL again "however that might be". I'll gladly drive you up to Birmingham myself, Mick.
14

lightingblue added 06:52 - Apr 1 Can we at least be positive people and at least appreciate what mick has done. If it wasn't for mick we would be league 1 or 2 regulars. Appreciate it may not be sexy football, but his doing a steady job with resources given. In all due respect yes he has probably made mistakes oping the way, but don't we all. So can we give the bloke a break and give him and the team the support required..

6

jong75 added 06:53 - Apr 1 Mick to villa, then lets get nigel pearson in. He has done a good job wherever he has been. I remember his west brom team hammering us 5-1 at home a few years back. He would bring discipline and shake a few of our too comfortable players up.
7

Mullet added 06:54 - Apr 1 “Maybe people who are not involved in the club that you're at look from the outside and think, ‘Hmm, you know what, maybe he is doing a good job'. Interesting indeed.
4

Sospiri added 06:57 - Apr 1 If I were him, and got offered the job, with all the money that will be available, and late in his career, I'd take it. So, if he does, who would we want to replace him? Who would get us back to the traditional Ipswich style of football?
5

tallguy6767 added 07:06 - Apr 1 Typical arrogance from him ! Hopefully they will take him off our hands! We want a football manager again !!!!!!
3

ITFCcharmer added 07:16 - Apr 1 Why are people so convinced that football will return to Portman rd if Mick leaves? We'll have a new manager with same lack of funds but who probably won't have the "pull" to players to make the move to Ipswich. Having MM and TC here is an attractive package for players despite the lack of big money transfer fee and wages. The football hasn't been great recently, the formations we've played have been questionable yet we're still in contention for the play offs... Again! At every club there are tensions and opinions will differ about team selection and style of play but let's look at where we were before MM and TC joined us and what where we are now with the lack of funds that have been made available to them!

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BrettenhamBlue added 07:22 - Apr 1 Honestly don't know how Villa would view it. Chances are they will go straight back up anyway, but they would be introduced to a style of football never before seen at Villa Park. Mick would need a fair amount in transfer fees and wages as many of the players there now couldn't play rocket-ball. I hope Mick stays. He's done a good job at the club and I fear anyone coming in would have a really tough job on their hands trying to change the style of play. It could prove to be a "dangerous" season as I am sure the next guy isn't going to say to the defence "imagine the ball is a rocket and just launch it as high into space as you can". If we get a "pass and move" manager we could be in all kinds of trouble. I can't imagine any new manager would get any transfer budget either. We would be looking out for those free transfers from other clubs again. Sometimes pays off but as a strategy it is really hit and miss. To be fair on Mick, he's been lucky about 50/50 of the time and has brought in some good players in the past on frees.

1

therein61 added 07:22 - Apr 1 If things go badly Saturday I can see him going,( but who would want to inherit his favourites and not have a pound to spend! )Mick you came in and saved us from relegation and steered us in the right direction but that seems to have come to a full stop now and you appear devoid of any sensible team selection and are sounding desperate at times maybe a change is best all round.

9

BondiBlue added 07:23 - Apr 1 Come and get me
2

Dissboyitfc added 07:50 - Apr 1 Lightning yes we all make mistakes, but his arrogance prevents him from correcting those mistakes!
9

GiveusaWave added 07:54 - Apr 1 Mick might well go. He seems to be devoid of any new ideas and this season looks like it's going nowhere. Villa will guarantee a return to Premiership football for him in season 2017-2018. That's unless Villa fans kick up a huge fuss due to the style of play. He might well take a few players with him. Players like Chambers, Berra, Skuse, Murphy, Coke are all firm favourites of Mick. And he might well put in a cheeky bid for Sears.

4

blueherts added 08:10 - Apr 1 Where is the line 'If I get in to the Premiership it will be with this club' line - Face it at his age - if he is offered a better deal he will go They are a big club in a big city and underperforming However , Pearson did an amazing job at Leicester and I cannot see past him Lets focus on final run in - 3 points from next two with Dids and Bish back amongst the party and who knows !

2

carlo88 added 08:12 - Apr 1 Presumably if he reads these forums and is offered another job he'll be off like a shot. Not sure ITFC with its unambitious owner is much of a draw at the moment.
3

floridaboy added 08:15 - Apr 1 He won't go to Villa because they won't want him. It's bookmaker talk! Can't see Moyes going there as they will be a championship side so that for me makes Pearson a definite plus they would have to pay compensation for MM and TC He will still be here next season!
2

bluey123 added 08:42 - Apr 1 Please Please go bring back football to ITFC
9

Currie10 added 08:46 - Apr 1 You'd happily drive Mick to Brum yourself? He's rip you to shreds the entire journey and a puddle would emerge on your seat. Like Mick or not he deserves a bit more than moronic comments like that. Pretty embarrassing actually. As for if Mick leaves we'd play a better brand - who knows. I didn't realise football was like ski-ing and you got extra points for flicks and 20 pass goals.........

-10

Stato added 09:00 - Apr 1 Too many on here talk like Mick is some sort of god which he isn't. Too many blame the lack of budget for the lack of success which isn't true either. Mick has his fans and they include some very knowledgeable fans and pundits like Paul Merson but I'm not one of them. I am hoping Villa do offer him the job and we can get someone in who doesn't believe that championship football needs to be 'turgid'

16

Bert added 09:03 - Apr 1 If anyone was offered a job with a much bigger salary and resources to utilise, why wouldn't they consider it ? MM has remained loyal to Town but it's the end of the season so he is entitled to keep his options open when responding to questions. Just remember that MM is the reason that Foley, Pringle etc have come here so unless Evans reinvests any incoming manager will have his hands tied.

0

Woodbridgian added 09:12 - Apr 1 Given the lack of investment from the owner you have to accept that if you judge MM by results and league position alone he has done a good job and its also true there would be no guarantees given the lack of investment that anybody else would do better. For me its not just about where we are in the table its more about style of play and my simple wish to go to PR and be entertained. Not too see the dull route one football on offer now. If MM goes and I personally hope he does I would accept a couple of seasons of rebuilding under a young forward thinking manager who wanted to play attractive, ball on the ground football!

9

muccletonjoe added 09:24 - Apr 1 Who in their right mind would want to stay. Trying to get a team together of loans and free transfers must be about as boring as the football they manage to play.
3

jonbull88 added 09:46 - Apr 1 @bossman works both ways too many on here so 2 faced, soon as things slow up the knives are out and the backstabbing commences. If mick doesn't go and next season we spend most of the season in the top 4 they'd be licking his arse. It's embarrassing
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SJB90_ITFC added 09:47 - Apr 1 Why does no-one appreciate what Mick has done for this club? Look at the resources he's had to work with compared to the top 6 - even Sheffield Wednesday have spent big this season. Even if we do miss out on playoffs this year, it's still not been a bad season - we've grinded out some good wins. Unfortunately I don't think until we invest in some real quality Championship players, we'll get out of this division. Yes the style of football we play isn't great but when you lack creativity in the middle of the park and you have an target man like Murphy upfront there's not much other option. Lets not try and force Mick and T out this club, not sure if anyone out there could do better with the players we've got!

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Currie10 added 10:02 - Apr 1 Oh minus 3 for speaking the truth? So people think it's big and clever to suggest a manager who got us from the bottom of the league and sorted us out in many respects - they will HAPPILY drive him to somewhere else - absolutely embarrassing. Seriously, some of the fickle pathetic " support " irritates the life into me. And finally, for the Mick out gang, please can you tell me who is going to get better results than Mick with the horrific backing we have? Sure they will play better footy, not going to dispute that, but who would come in, given the budget we will give any manager?

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