Town’s search for a new manager took a dramatic twist today with news that Sunderland have agreed terms with Jack Ross, a long-term Blues target.
The St Mirren boss is moving south of the border to take charge of the newly-relegated Black Cats and spearhead their quest to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking, in a move that will reportedly see his wages rocket by 500 per cent.
But where does this leave Town, who were thought to be closing in on Mick McCarthy’s successor and had 41-year-old Ross, crowned Scotland’s Manager of the Year, firmly in their thoughts after he was twice interviewed for the post?
The bookies have installed Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst, 43, as firm favourite to take charge at Portman Road — but he is currently attending to business with the Shrews ahead of Sunday’s League One play-off final against Rotherham at Wembley.
Hurst’s credentials are impressive — he has won promotion at previous clubs Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby — but the situation is anything but clear-cut with Derby County also looking for a new manager following Gary Rowett’s move to Stoke yesterday.
Having lost out on Ross, however, Town owner Marcus Evans will be determined not to see Hurst also lured elsewhere and talks between the two are likely to follow Sunday’s game, regardless of the outcome.
News of Ross’ appointment at Sunderland will disappoint a large number of Town fans, who saw him as the best option to succeed McCarthy but feared the amount of time that elapsed following initial contact with the young Scot might prove costly.