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Parker Among Interviewees - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands former England international midfielder Scott Parker was among those to be interviewed by Blues owner Marcus Evans earlier in the week.

The 37-year-old, who TWTD revealed was among those in the running to take over at Town a fortnight ago, is looking to make his first step into management having spent this season coaching Tottenham’s U18s after hanging up his boots following four campaigns at Fulham last summer.

Parker has long held ambitions to become a manager and he began working on his badges and coaching youngsters while he was at the height of his playing career, which saw him represent Charlton, Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham in addition to the Cottagers, as well as a short spell on loan at Norwich, and win 18 full caps.

As previously reported, Blues owner Marcus Evans began interviewing candidates last week and has continued to meet with prospective new Town bosses in the last few days.

The interview process will continue into next week when Evans is set to hold talks with St Mirren manager Jack Ross having been given permission to speak to the 41-year-old by his current club.

News of the Blues’ approach to St Mirren has seen Ross elevated to 2-1 odds-on favourite with Bet Victor ahead of Paul Hurst, 2-1 against, whose Shrewsbury side are in League One play-off action at Charlton this evening (Sky Sports Football 7.30pm).

Shefki Kuqi is at 10-1, Parker has moved up to 14-1 with Simon Grayson at 16-1, Tim Sherwood at 20-1 and then Danny Cowley, Frank Lampard, George Burley, John McGreal, Mark Warburton, Paul Cook and Tony Mowbray all at 25-1.

Elsewhere, Steve McClaren, an early link with the Town vacancy, is reportedly set to take over at QPR following Ian Holloway’s departure this afternoon.

Holloway, 55, was spoken to by the Blues as a potential alternative to first-choice Mick McCarthy when he was appointed in November 2012 but seems unlikely to be in the running this time around.

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