St Mirren’s Jack Ross and Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst remain the leading contenders to take charge at Portman Road with former England skipper Frank Lampard no longer in the running, TWTD understands.
As we revealed at the end of last week, Lampard met with Marcus Evans on Friday for a second time and impressed the Blues owner with what he had to say, however, it emerged that the two parties were some distance apart when prospective personal terms were discussed.
Ross was also interviewed for a second time by Evans last week and continues to be the bookies’ favourite, now at evens with Bet Victor.
We understand that reports claiming Sunderland are showing strong interest in the 41-year-old are speculative as things stand, while St Mirren still hope to keep hold of the man who took them to the Scottish Championship title by 12 points.
The Buddies are believed to have offered Ross, who is currently contracted until the summer of 2020, an improved deal in order to tempt him to stay in Paisley, however, they wouldn’t be able to match the terms on offer at Portman Road.
It’s believed that the former defender, who is now away on holiday, will take the Town job if it is offered to him.
Hurst, 43, has been high up Evans’s list of potential new managers since it was decided former boss Mick McCarthy would be moving on back in late March.
Formal talks with the one-time Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby manager are expected to follow Sunday’s League One play-off final, in which the Shrews take on Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel’s loan club Rotherham at Wembley, whether the Shropshire club win promotion to the Championship or otherwise. It's understood the Blues have been given a strong indication Hurst would be interested in the position.
Hurst is currently the third-favourite to take over at Town at 8-1 with Lampard ahead of him at 2-1.
Behind those three, Scott Parker and Tim Sherwood, who have both been interviewed, are at 20-1 along with Simon Grayson, while George Burley, Östersunds boss Graham Potter, John McGreal, Mark Warburton, Paul Cook, Shefki Kuqi and Tony Mowbray are all at 25-1.
In April Evans said he expected to name the Blues' new manager in late May or early June and that remains his timescale with an announcement next week appearing increasingly likely.