St Mirren have confirmed they have granted Sunderland permission to speak to their manager Jack Ross. The Black Cats say they are hopeful of making an announcement on Thursday.
The Scottish Championship title winners said in a statement on their website: "St Mirren Football Club can confirm we received an approach from Sunderland AFC this afternoon for permission to speak to our manager Jack Ross.
"After agreeing to our terms we have reluctantly given them permission to speak to Jack about their vacant manager’s position.”
Earlier, during a chaotic afternoon, Ross was widely reported to be the man new Sunderland owner Stewart Donald was talking about when he said he was close to naming a new boss at the Stadium of Light.
"We've agreed terms and literally the contracts are with the lawyers," Donald said.
"The man in question is absolutely thrilled, which is what we want, and I'm absolutely delighted that he's coming, so that's exciting for us. I'm hoping that by the end of the day, we can reveal that."
The Black Cats, who were recently relegated to League One, were said to have agreed a two-year deal with Ross, who would be earning five times his current salary, with the contract having an option for a further season, while St Mirren were due to receive £50,000 in compensation.
However, Buddies chairman Gordon Scott subsequently dismissed claims that his club's 41-year-old manager was in talks with the Black Cats, saying no approach had been made to the Scottish Championship winners.
"There has been no contact from Sunderland with us and Jack is on holiday. So unless there is some major skulduggery going on then it's nonsense,” he insisted.
We understand St Mirren have granted Jack Ross permission to speak to Sunderland.
Talks are ongoing - with Ipswich remaining an option, as does staying in Paisley. pic.twitter.com/iRGbjZiuH4– Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) May 23, 2018
Scottish radio station Clyde 1 then revealed that permission had belatedly been granted to the Wearsiders to speak to Ross but with a move to Town "remaining an option” along with staying with St Mirren.
However, Black Cats owner Donald has added to his earlier comments: "I said in the press conference we would hopefully have our man by the weekend.
"The update is we have agreed terms and as I said it is with the legals now. By close of play tomorrow I would hope to make an announcement. All on course."
Ross has twice spoken with Blues owner Marcus Evans and was understood to be one of two remaining candidates to succeed Mick McCarthy along with Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst.
The 43-year-old, whose Shrews side face Rotherham in the League One play-off final on Sunday, is now the 6-4 odds-on favourite for the Blues job with Bet Victor with Ross now behind him at 8-1 along with former Wales and Sunderland boss Chris Coleman.
Frank Lampard is at 11-1 and Scott Parker and Tim Sherwood at 12-1, all three having been interviewed by the Blues.
Evans said last month that he hoped to make his appointment at the end of May or in early June.