Town are close to naming former Wolves, Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Millwall boss Mick McCarthy as their new manager, according to national newspaper reports. The 53-year-old and ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley have always been viewed as the frontrunners to succeed Paul Jewell since the Liverpudlian’s exit by mutual consent last week.
If confirmed, McCarthy is expected to be joined at Portman Road by his former Wolves assistant Terry Connor with former Blues skipper Matt Holland, who played for the one-time centre-half with Ireland, believed to be another prospective member of the Barnsley-born boss’s staff.
A three-year deal is understood to be on the table for McCarthy, who has been out of work since leaving Wolves in February after more than five years at Molineux.
In the summer he spoke to Nottingham Forest about their vacancy prior to Sean O’Driscoll’s appointment, while more recently he has been linked with the likes of Bolton, Burnley, Blackburn and Crystal Palace.
Town chief executive Simon Clegg said last week that he was hoping to have the new appointment in place before Saturday's game at Birmingham City.