Former Millwall, Crystal Palace and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes Town “will do well to hold on to” manager Mick McCarthy this summer and says he should be on the shortlist for the vacant Aston Villa job.

Echoing comments previously made by ex-Villa man Paul Merson, Holloway told Sky Sports: "Mick McCarthy should be on the shortlist for the next Aston Villa job, without a shadow of a doubt.

"I think Ipswich will do well to hold on to McCarthy this summer. Someone with his credibility and know-how will be hot property."

He added: "Villa must go for someone who knows the Championship and have seen it and done it before.

"It's going to take someone with real experience to clean up that mess. It's going to take down to earth talking. A straight talking person will need to lead and make the players believe again.

"That man will need to get the overpaid players who don't care out of the door. It will take someone with great skill to achieve that. It's massive job and someone has a huge job on their hands.

“They'll be a long queue of people who'd want that job - it's a belting gig, but it's one hell of a project."

Having been second-favourite earlier in the month, McCarthy is now down to sixth-favourite with ex-Leicester boss Nigel Pearson odds-on to get the job.

Meanwhile, McCarthy, who signed a new Town contract until 2018 with an option for a further two seasons in January, says he’s looking forward to having midfielder Teddy Bishop available next season after the 19-year-old endured an injury-hit 2015/16.

“It’s been a tough time for Bish and you could see at Middlesbrough when he had 15 minutes that he was goosed at the end,” he told the club site.

“He’s got to come back after the close season and get himself fighting fit for next year. He is a wonderful talent. You can see that by the way he glides past players and we want to see that talent back on the pitch next season.”

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 20:04 - Apr 26 Interesting. Holloway knows something as he knows Mick. Before Christmas when asked if Ipswich should strengthen, he replied 'yes, but they won't as the owner has lost interest'. That was on SKY for the Charlton game. He was absolutely right then as we didn't strengthen and I fully expect MM to leave in the summer.
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Mark added 20:12 - Apr 26 Mick did a great job of sorting Ipswich out when he came in, turning a shambles into a side that got consistent results. I suspect he would relish the chance to do that again at Villa, with money available to put together a promotion chasing side. If there is no money to spend this summer at Ipswich, can Mick really himself see us improving? He is dependent on avoiding significant injuries, finding cheap gems (like Mings, but not easy to find) and youth coming through (Dozzell very young, I am not sure there are many others knocking on the door). Competing with teams with millions in their pockets must feel like mission impossible at times.

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Mullet added 20:15 - Apr 26 Expect or hope? It amazes me clubs coming down would even look at Mick. All the experts have shown he's so utterly inept here after all.......
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 20:16 - Apr 26 Has. It might also mean Holloway fancies MM'S job here. He is out of work of course. Not sure you can draw the conclusion you have on the basis of a throw away remark and past association. But your posts have been on the mark in the past. Who knows?
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pickles110564 added 20:18 - Apr 26 Jas u wanting something to happen wont make it happen. We are where we are ME will keep letting Mick pick up freebies, he does not have the wealth to invest in the quality we need. What he puts in every season is the level he can afford.
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bohslegend added 20:20 - Apr 26 @Mark I agree with all you say. That is the long and the short of it. Too many people are OTT critical of MM and blame him for everything. Real football people know that a manager with such limited resources can only take a team so far. I'm certain there isn't a single other manager out there who could do better with the money MM has had to spend - and by that I mean finish in or close to the playoffs - especially given the injuries to key players this season. Name all the young up and coming managers who like to play a different brand of football you like, but similarly to MK Dons you won't last in this division without the know-how that MM has. >>>> here come all the intelligentsia who will claim they'd prefer to be relegated playing tikki takka rather than compete at the top end using the more pragmatic MM approach >>>>

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WhoisJimmyJuan added 20:23 - Apr 26 Jas, not Has!
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Elto added 20:32 - Apr 26 So jas0999, what you are suggesting is that MM told Holloway that Evans has lost interest, Holloway then announced this on TV. Are you serious? Apologies if I have misunderstood your post.
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floridaboy added 20:33 - Apr 26 Holloway ever get a job at Portman Road I and many others will not be at Portman Road
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Elto added 20:45 - Apr 26 mullet You are misunderstood.
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LordMamu added 20:48 - Apr 26 Off you pop then MM - money will not be available at Villa the owner has no inclination to spend and just wants to sell - they may go for him anyway but god I pity those Villa fans if they do....Pearson will get the job and we will be stuck with the dinosaur football..
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ArnieM added 20:52 - Apr 26 Holloway touting for Micks job I think.
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blueboy1981 added 21:12 - Apr 26 IF .... and it's a big IF - Villa are / were interested in McCarthy, it is true that he may, just may, have a bit of money to spend should he be appointed. If this were the case, he could stabilise Villa in the Championship undoubtedly - but if they have ambition of returning to the Premiership he would have to be moved on - maybe a couple of season wonder at best then. Everyone seems to think that it is Evans who won't / can't spend on players - McCarthy has always maintained he has what he needs, and couldn't get better than he has - what people don't really know is :- Has he asked for money to buy players ... ??? No proof of this anywhere to be had. Now Villa are relegated - can understand then being interested - just brace yourselves Villa supporters for a boring time ahead - if it happens. And we - ITFC - will move on.

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RegencyBlue added 21:14 - Apr 26 I think you will find there will be more money available to the Villa manager next season than at Ipswich!
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blueboy1981 added 21:17 - Apr 26 ........ could do much worse than bring Jim Magilton back, with George Burley, as Director of Football. May be wrong, but feel there could be backing for that.
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planetblue_2011 added 21:23 - Apr 26 If Mick goes does that mean he, ll take, Murphy, Berra, Chambers, Gerken, Skuse & Douglas with him? That wouldn't be a bad thing. I know these players have a year or 2 contracts with us, just hoping some new better players will come in, hopefully the youngsters!!
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TimmyH added 21:24 - Apr 26 Pretty obvious that Holloway and MM are pals...after this season I'm not sure Villa will go for McCarthy, he hasn't exactly succeeded here, yes clearing the dead wood away and getting us competitive once more but going to a bigger club with more pressure to get them promoted is a different thing altogether.
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ParisBlue added 21:29 - Apr 26 Mick has always said he'd like another crack at the premiership but also realises that a Prem team is unlikely to appoint him. Although Villa is a basket case and could go either way I've no doubt he'd take it if offered. They're probably a better bet to get promoted than we are. I really hope he stays and he gets a chance to clear out the dead wood.
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Kikapu added 21:30 - Apr 26 blueboy1981 - Now what nana of a manager would ever rat on his owner. Don't think you much of a clue, my friend.
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blueboy1981 added 21:31 - Apr 26 Kikapu ...... and why ??
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blueboy1981 added 21:34 - Apr 26 Kikapu ......... totally misunderstood my post - end of. Maybe you that's clueless - ever crossed your mind ??
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HarryS_H added 21:40 - Apr 26 Do people need reminding that mick has got two different teams out of this league before?? One season finishing juts outside the playoffs isnt even a dot on his cv. I'd be very surprised if villa haven't already given ME a call to see how much it'd cost to take him! All I can say is I'm glad mick and Terry have long contracts because holding onto a manager of his calibre will be very difficult especially with the way you lot moan at him! I feel like finishing 8th is a reason to keep a manager not wish him away?! Mick will get us promoted I have no doubt about it, there's no one better equiped for the job.

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blueboy1981 added 21:48 - Apr 26 HarryS_H ........... the game has moved on since then - HOOFBALL - will not be good enough these days. Mid table Championship is just about his forte these days - you could have a very, very, long wait for hoofball to be good enough to get promotion.
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blueboy1981 added 21:50 - Apr 26 HarryS_H .......... dreamland is never far away it seems. Rock on.
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Kikapu added 21:53 - Apr 26 Well said, HarryS. Someone who has a clue, no doubt.
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