VVV-Venlo manager Maurice Steijn understands he is on a list of potential new Town bosses but hasn’t heard anything from the club and says it’s likely he’ll still be with his current club next season.

Steijn, 43, who saw VVV to the Jupiler League (Dutch second tier) title this season, was first mentioned in connection with the Blues early in April when his agent said he was aware of rumours linking his client with Town but said there had been no contact.

Later in the month, the former ADO Den Haag midfielder and manager subsequently added that he hadn’t spoken to the Blues.

Now, speaking to Dutch TV channel Omroep West, Steijn says he has been told he is on a list of potential successors to current Town boss Mick McCarthy.

“I know there is a list of possible new coaches for Ipswich Town,” he said. “I'm on that list.

“A couple of English journalists called me and confirmed that. But as long as I don't hear anything, it is not an option. It’s most likely therefore that I will still be working at VVV next year.”

Steijn is contracted to VVV for another season with talks regarding an extension having taken place.

However, his current deal includes a clause allowing him to depart if a bigger club comes calling and he doesn't rule out moving on: "I'm open to a departure."

In January, Town boss McCarthy said he would make a decision on whether to stay at Portman Road in the summer, which may have led the Blues to look at potential options if he decided to move on.

However, while MD Ian Milne said on Saturday that the former Millwall, Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Wolves manager's future has not yet been confirmed, McCarthy himself has more recently said on a number of occasions that he has no plans to move on.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Symonds has left the Marcus Evans Group but remains a director of Town.

Symonds was appointed the chief operating officer of mobile ticketing company Active PLC in January after more than 20 years with MEG.

He joined the Town board in November 2007 following Marcus Evans’s takeover and was joint-managing director with Milne between April 2013 and August 2015.

Photo: Action Images

Pilgrimblue added 17:41 - May 1 Lets go and get him in, Mick's on borrowed time. Need a fresh approach so just waiting to see headlines "McCarthy leaves by mutual consent", then see ST sales rocket.
28

DallianAttkinson added 17:43 - May 1 Sounds interesting, I would love a forward thinking young coach who understands the modern way to play football and be entertaining at the same time.
19

CornardBlue added 17:51 - May 1 If we are to have a new manager (which i hope we are) i would hope we can do better than this guy. I have been following football many many years and never herd of him or his club and Dutch 2nd tier is about the same as our Conference league, but i suppose he would be cheap and no compo to pay which would suit Evans.
-1

cat added 17:52 - May 1 My fear that this or similar might be happening the season after next, sincerely hope I'm wrong though. PS CAN SOMEONE SORT THAT FRIGGING 'BS' OF A POLL OUT!! FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT THE COLOUR RED IS MORE APPEALING THAN BLUE!!
6

Michael11 added 17:53 - May 1 Sounded very interesting until I saw “A couple of English journalists called me and confirmed that." He's basically been called up and questioned about it because he's been linked. The boring Yorkshireman will still be here with a fresh batch of loanees and rejects in August.
4

TractorWood added 17:55 - May 1 Please be true.
6

ArnieM added 17:56 - May 1 followed by Dutch consortium take over??. Yes please!!
13

Mark added 18:02 - May 1 Probably nothing in this, although when put with Milne's comments that “Marcus has indicated and we're indicating that there's got to be some massive rebuilding over the summer" and "We had bad day at Rotherham, which was very upsetting. Marcus was there and he knew our thoughts.” then just maybe there will be a change. Add to that the season ticket sales so terrible they cannot tell is the numbers, another defeat Saturday plus the reception MM got from fans and surely ME is thinking what to do here. Come on ME, change the club management, pump substantial funds into the squad in the summer, then relaunch another 'early bird' offer to get season ticket holders back who are not renewing currently. Bring in a manager who can teach the team to pass the ball, properly introduce young players, and build for the future. That is how we got promoted last time under Burley.

26

bohslegend added 18:03 - May 1 So who knows anything about this fella? Has he got an equally magical wand with which to turn pennies into Championship-standard budget? Has he the capability to at the very least maintain our tier 2 status? Can he have us knocking on the door of the playoffs despite the obvious financial challenge? Has he even got any pedigree of any kind as a manager? Or is that the blinkered bias of the anti-Mick brigade just wants change and sod the consequences?

-1

cromwellblue added 18:09 - May 1 Take a breath everyone. The rumour mill is starting but nothing is going to happen until after next Sunday. The article about Milne would suggest an MM departure is still a possibility. While this guy has been linked by a few articles, if his knowledge is based on an English journalists phone call I would question its credibility. All we can hope is that after next Sunday the club make a clear statement of intent on the two major issues 1. Marcus - Is a takeover actually a possibility or is this just rumour and what is your intent for this club over the coming years 2 Is McCarthy staying or going? Whatever the answers to these question we will have to accept it even if we do not like it but clarity is needed if we are to find any way to restore to feel good factor.

10

jas0999 added 18:14 - May 1 Let's hope there is do ethnic in this new manager talk. Micks position is untenable.
4

jas0999 added 18:16 - May 1 ** something ** not do ethnic!!
0

NoCanariesAllowed added 18:24 - May 1 I must admit, I have mixed feelings every time I see a story come up about this guy. For every David Wagner and Aitor Karanka, there's a Jose Riga or Marinus Dijkhuizen. Appointing any foreign manager with no experience in the Championship always seems like flipping a coin. To a point, I'd love to see us take such a risk if Mick were to move on - it does feel as though we have become completely risk averse since bringing in Keane and throwing money at him. That appointment was a mistake in hindsight, but it was a bold move by the club which actually felt like it had some purpose. I accept Mick's "Be careful what you wish for" warning. Absolutely. But it does rather feel like we just choose to wish for nothing.

6

DurhamTownFan added 18:34 - May 1 His contract is up at the end of next season MM's contract is up at the end of next season Coincidence? It makes sense for clubs to be looking around all the time in case change is needed, so this doesn't mean it is anywhere near imminent. I'd take the gamble though!
0

brittaniaman added 18:34 - May 1 This Rumour has been going around for several weeks now !!! wether there is any truth in it remains to be seen, but this rumour started before Dino said he was going to stay ??? So let us all hope there is some sort of action next week before contracts talks start of who is staying or who is going ???
3

cat added 18:41 - May 1 bohslegend - anyone who can play football the right way is good enough for me, all the others things you mention are secondary imo, I know where we are at and I except that, but entertain and I for one will return.
11

therein61 added 18:49 - May 1 I would renew my direct debit in a click and be prepared to give any new manager a season to get his ideas in place and clear out the dead wood and liven this club of ours(it's our club not a foul mouthed failures!!) up! only a rumour I know but so was Murph going!!
12

therein61 added 18:53 - May 1 marked you up instead of down bohslegend nothing personal just an old man making a mistake
3

12th_Man added 18:53 - May 1 Calm down dears McCarthy is going nowhere
-6

mutters added 18:57 - May 1 Sounds like he is fishing for this to happen rather than the reality of the situation. Would like some dutch flair back at the club but is he forcing this move more than Town?
0

hampstead_blue added 18:59 - May 1 Some things are best left unsaid. Not the most elegant move on his part. As a headhunter, if a candidate went public as to being one of my shortlists I would call him and say "really?" He's done himself no favours regardless of his ability.
4

Dissboyitfc added 19:16 - May 1 i would welcome the departure of McCarthy for this guy! Who had heard of David Wagner before this season? a reserve team manager in Germany! Mick out !!
7

ScottCandage added 19:22 - May 1 The problem with getting a new manager in is that Mick isn't going to leave without his million (or most of it). Then we'll get to hear Ian Milne say, "Well, we had to pay off Mick, and Marcus has put in 6 or 7 million, so there's no money for transfers." Same as it ever was.
1

TimmyH added 19:27 - May 1 Sadly McCarthy will be here in August in my opinion and unless Mick has us rock bottom come November/December I don't see anything changing, as regards to this fella I've rather mixed feelings, yes we may see better deck football but it's a big gamble but these gambles have paid off at some other clubs. Just speculation anyway even if there is any truth that he's on a supposed list.

0

wherescounago added 19:31 - May 1 I said on this site, when this story first broke, that a contact in Holland told me some time ago that a conversation had been had with him in spite of all denials. He is a good young coach but is still learning and could be a gamble but then again so was Bobby Robson when he first came here!!!
4

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls