Roy Keane’s future as Town manager is once again in doubt, according to a tabloid newspaper report this morning. Former Blues coach and skipper Tony Mowbray and ex-Notts County, Burnley and Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill are said to be in the running to replace the Irishman.
Speculation regarding Keane’s position has quietened down in recent months since chief executive Simon Clegg dismissed widespread suggestions that his sacking was imminent back in March. However, Town are now claimed to have made discreet enquiries regarding Mowbray and Cotterill’s interest in taking over at Portman Road.
Cotterill recently left his job as manager of Notts County, having helped them into League One after taking over at Meadow Lane in February, and has also been linked with the vacant manager’s role at Portsmouth.
Mowbray was sacked by Celtic in March after an unsuccessful season at Parkhead and is understood to have turned down one or two management jobs since then.
Keane’s sacking now, as opposed to at the end of the season or once Town’s Championship survival was assured, would be a huge surprise with the Blues already well into their preparations for 2010/11. It seems unlikely that a £3.75 million bid would have been made to Cardiff for Michael Chopra if a change of manager was on the cards.
TWTD Message Board rumours over the weekend claimed that Mowbray had spent time at Portman Road last week, which may be where some of the story originated [Edit: According to one of the comments added to this story, see below, the ex-Blues skipper was spotted in Florida last week].
Meanwhile, Town target Marton Fulop has admitted that he’ll probably leave Sunderland during the close season: "I've a two-year contract with Sunderland but it's more than likely that I'll leave Sunderland this summer.
"I'm open to any possibilities, even those coming from out of England. I think my future will be decided after the World Cup ."
In addition to the Blues, Hungarian international keeper Fulop is said to be interesting West Brom and Italian side Udinese.
Sunderland are expected to complete the signing of Belgian U21 international Simon Mignolet, which would probably see Fulop relegated to third choice, or perhaps even fourth behind Northern Irish youngster Trevor Carson, in the pecking order at the Stadium of Light.