Maurice Steijn, the manager of Dutch side VVV-Venlo, has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Mick McCarthy if the Town boss moves on in the summer. Steijn’s agent says he has heard of the Blues’ apparent interest “through the grapevine” but says there has so far been no contact.
Steijn and VVV are all but certain to be confirmed as champions of the Jupiler League (Dutch second tier) with a lead of eight points and only five games remaining.
The 43-year-old took over as manager a VVV in the summer of 2014, having been sacked by ADO Den Haag in the February of the same year.
Steijn had been a midfielder with ADO as well as NAC Breda and FC Kranenburg during his playing days. He returned to ADO to start his coaching career and progressed through the ranks to become their first-team boss in 2011.
His agent, Rodger Linse, says he has heard whispers of Town’s interest but up to now no more than that.
"I heard through the grapevine also that Maurice is mentioned as a candidate at Ipswich Town, but there has been no contact,” he said.
Linse says Steijn has enjoyed his time with VVV making progress year on year: "In his time as coach of ADO Den Haag Maurice lacked the support of the technical management and the board. He therefore had to do a lot of work that really was not in his job description.
"At VVV-Venlo he has had the support of the technical management and the board, and therefore he could build a team.
"In the first year that led to qualification for the play-offs, as they did in the second season when VVV finished second behind Sparta Rotterdam, the champions. And this season the dream of the title is probably coming true.”
Steijn is contracted to VVV for another year but with his deal allowing him to move on if he is offered the prospect of making a step up financially or football-wise. However, talks regarding a new contract are planned.
"Soon there will be talks anyway, because the board of VVV wants to renew his contract,” Linse added.
Current Blues boss McCarthy has another year on his Blues contract - with the club having an option for a further two seasons - but he has said he will considering his future once Town are safe and having talked to owner Marcus Evans.
Given McCarthy’s possible departure, Town are likely to be looking around for potential successors.