TWTD understands that former Watford and Reading boss Brendan Rodgers has held meetings at Portman Road to discuss becoming the club’s assistant manager. Last month, we reported that Rodgers was top of Roy Keane’s list of potential deputies, the Blues boss having decided to appoint an assistant at the end of the season.

Rodgers, who coached Jose Mourinho’s reserves at Chelsea, met Keane while they were studying for their UEFA Pro Licences and the two are close friends.

The 37-year-old Northern Irishman has been linked with a number managerial roles in recent weeks - including the MK Dons and Colchester jobs - but appears most likely to be joining the Blues before the start of the new season.

Meanwhile, Burnley are reported to have joined the race to sign Peterborough United midfielder George Boyd. Town, Derby County and Middlesbrough are also understood to be chasing the Scotland B international.

The Blues are eyeing Boyd, 24, for the problem left midfield role, but may be put off by Peterborough’s £2 million price-tag. Tottenham youngster Andros Townsend is viewed as a potential alternative option if ex-Stevenage man Boyd goes elsewhere or if the fee can’t be negotiated downwards.

Town also face a fight if Roy Keane wants Scunthorpe’s Gary Hooper to join his striking ranks over the summer. Hooper, linked with the Blues on a number of occasions in recent weeks, is again claimed to be a £2 million Celtic target in this morning’s papers.

Elsewhere, former Blues boss Jim Magilton continues to be linked with the vacant manager’s job at Colchester United with a bookie reportedly suspending betting on his appointment.

Photo: Action Images

lukeym18 added 10:18 - May 22 rodgers would be a great assistant manager for us, he's learned from the best at chelsea and he would help keane alot! sign him up also jim would be a great manager for colchester united, maybe david wright, richard wright, lisbie & garvan & counago would follow him down the a12? hope so!
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wrightsrightglove added 10:19 - May 22 Irish? Never! But joking aside, think this would be a good move. Not brilliant management material but must have learnt a thing or two working under Mourinho! Would make a very good assistant manager.
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marcusevans added 11:00 - May 22 Worked under Mourinho but somehow as a manager got his teams to play good football. Should be good for us. Secondly if he is a friend of Keanes he should get away with having an alternative point of view. Nobody tells you like it is in the way a true friend does!
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Mark added 11:12 - May 22 I hope Rodgers comes in and does a good job. It is another big contract being handed out though which might need to be paid up if Keane leaves a few weeks into the season. I would prefer we brought in a new manager to give us a real fresh start. Comparing quotes this week for example: KEANE "We'd still be going gung-ho at the end of a game when we needed a player to take his time over a freekick, to slow the game down - collect a booking if need be." HOLLOWAY "When I arrived here I tried to share my vision of what I wanted to do with the players. It's expansive, attacking football...". A good Assistant Manager is important, but it is the manager himself who sets out the philosophy of the team and I am concerned about our approach. Regardless of promotion, I would like to see attacking football return to Portman Road so we can start enjoying it again.

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wisebluey added 11:32 - May 22 this is very good .... keane neeeeeeds an assistant desperately, and this chat is very very good indeed ..... main point tho, KEANE NEEDS ASSISTANCE, and hopefully cos he's irish, they might even get on !?!?!?!
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dazz added 11:36 - May 22 Rodgers would be a good as keano's assistant! we desperately need some fresh thinking on board, which Rodgers would bring, but I still think Keane is the man to stay in charge at the top!!
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punch_bowl added 11:39 - May 22 But if he needs help does this mean he's not good enough?
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ShortBlue added 11:48 - May 22 yeah coz no other manager has an assistant do they. fool
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GoodLuckSmallpiece added 11:53 - May 22 Morning GITS (copyright G Smallpiece Delaware). There's definitely a lot to do when you run a small football team. Watching training (not taking it), watching player videos, collecting your wages etc etc. It's tiring just to think about it. So let's have several assistants. What became of the chubby-chopped Mr McParland, whom Town signed at the end of November last year to provide help to Keano? I believe he may have had a hip replacement and I am sure we all wish him a speedy recovery. Surely, though, he can still advise our friend the Celt! FORK! POMS! COYB!

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nthstd added 11:59 - May 22 Irish NO1 Norn Irish yes.mind I'm a tad biased
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Johnny_Boy added 12:01 - May 22 Roy gets Rodgered
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blueblood66 added 12:21 - May 22 Jim to Col Utd posted that a few days ago ..you heard it here first
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nthstd added 13:27 - May 22 If Jim goes to Col U which pub will he drink in?
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Wickets added 13:30 - May 22 Yes Mark, although i am quite willing to give Keane the chance to at least see his contract out and hopefull improve on his results so far, i didn't really see us going gung ho many times last season in fact many times i felt we needed more width and more players making runs into the box!!
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ChambersM added 13:42 - May 22 nthstd: probably the one he went to when he was sacked, which was in colchester!
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jas0999 added 14:40 - May 22 This would in my opinion be an excellent appointment. Only thing is, EADT yesterday reported that Roy was after a AM with Premier League experience - Rodgers doesn't fit the bill. That said I think he'd be good. Looks like there is going to be lots of competition this pre-season. Hope we can sign quality and also hope Roy has a plan B. Re Magilton - oh dear. About his level - but more seasons in Division 1 for Colchester if he gets appointed.

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:52 - May 22 GOOD! ..and good luck to J M .think he will do ok there. Naaaaridge are our main concern though, just hope R K dosnt F;ck up when we play them .!
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ChambersM added 17:41 - May 22 if people think league one is jim magilton's level then they must think roy keane's level is that or even lower!? Unbelievable.
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woodpecker added 17:47 - May 22 hmmm i wonder after today's play off final result whether we'll put a bid in for chopra!
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BlueBoots added 18:03 - May 22 One potential bonus of getting Brendan Rodgers onto the staff - he managed to get lots of goals out of Tamas Priskin when he was manager of Watford!
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Guthrum added 18:14 - May 22 BlueBoots - aha! Maybe I see a cunning plan there ...
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tom_the_blue added 18:26 - May 22 I was just thinking that blueboots! I think Priskin will come good next season, and with Wickham alongside him, they will get us plenty of goals!
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Jesney_Havoc added 18:58 - May 22 Emperor's new clothes ! - he only needs an assistant because he hasn't a clue by himself ! Outragous eh ?
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SurreyITFC added 18:59 - May 22 OK Clegg & Keano - Lets get Chopra signed!!! Also Bredan Rodgers would be a good assistant for Keano and if he knows how to get Priskins scoring boots on then Great News! COYB PS Well done Blackpool - Look what hard work and desire gets for you.
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Mungo added 20:46 - May 22 On paper this appears a reasonable appointment, but is he being approached because he is the right man for the job or because he is RK's chum? And wasn't Tony Loughlan supposed to be RK's assistant? PS - Well done Blackpool. Brilliant today and promotion well deserved. An example to all
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