St Mirren boss Jack Ross is the latest manager to be mentioned in connection with the Blues’ job which will become vacant when Mick McCarthy departs in the summer.

According to the Evening Standard Ross, 41, is among the candidates to become Charlton manager - although the Addicks have now appointed ex-Blues midfielder Lee Bowyer for the remainder of the season - and is also said to be on the Portman Road shortlist, although it’s unlikely Town are at the stage of reducing the candidates to replace McCarthy that far.

Ross, who turned down the chance to manage Barnsley after talks in February, took charge at St Mirren in January 2017 and saved them from relegation. This season Falkirk-born Ross has taken the Buddies into a 12-point lead at the top of the table.

The one-time Hartlepool, Falkirk, St Mirren and Hamilton Academical defender, who won one Scotland B cap during his playing days, began his management career at Alloa in December 2015 having been on the staff at Dumbarton, where he was assistant manager, and then Hearts.

After failing to prevent the Wasps from being relegated into Scottish League One in his first half-season, Ross subsequently took them on a club record 10-game winning run the following campaign prior to his move to his current club.

Ross (right) during his playing days with the Buddies

Elsewhere, Alan Pardew, who left West Brom at the weekend, and Lincoln’s Danny Cowley are currently the bookies’ favourites to take over at Town, both at 4-1 with Bet Victor, although there seems little other than rumour to suggest either are leading candidates.

Behind them in the running are former coach and skipper Tony Mowbray, at 8-1. The Blackburn manager is understood to be very much among owner Marcus Evans’s favoured targets with his one-time boss George Burley also citing the 54-year-old as his number one choice to succeed McCarthy.

Tabloid-linked Steve McClaren is also at 8-1 ahead of former Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton, also the subject of newspaper speculation, and Wigan manager Paul Cook, both at 10-1.

Former Blues striker Shefki Kuqi, who was at Monday’s game against Millwall, having confirmed that he’d be interested in the Town job when on BBC Radio Suffolk's Life’s a Pitch last month, is at 14-1.

McCarthy, who watched the Blues’ U23s beat Cardiff this afternoon, continues to be linked with West Brom having joked with Midlands reporters after the Birmingham game regarding his history with their great rivals Wolves.

“The Albion? That would piss a few people off wouldn’t it?” he laughed when the possibility of him managing at the Hawthorns was put to him. “But you know me, I like pissing people off!”

Now, Sky Sports are reporting that McCarthy would be interested in taking the job, believing he could see them back into the Premier League next season with relegation this term now appearing inevitable.

As previously reported, Baggies technical director Nick Hammond was at Portman Road on Monday watching the Blues' 2-2 draw with Millwall.

Photo: TWTD

BroskiBeen added 16:48 - Apr 4 Saw him manage Alloa against Bala in the IRN bru a couple seasons ago cup and his Alloa side then played some good attacking stuff, he talked a good game too, not the worst appointment been looked at by other championship sides and a younger manager but not 100% sure however it's going to be a gamble whoever we appoint
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Bluejake added 16:49 - Apr 4 Reckon if West Brom offer him the job he'll be off straight away otherwise he'll stay until the end of the season.
5

therein61 added 16:49 - Apr 4 Give these guys a few mins at Brentford(what's to lose!? re the comment from Mick about loving to p1ss people off you have done just that here(1,000s of us)
4

floridaboy added 16:53 - Apr 4 If he went he would be working on a budget because WBA are in trouble financially
3

runningout added 16:55 - Apr 4 Jack Ross would do better job than most that have been mentioned to replace MM
9

Taricco_Fan added 16:57 - Apr 4 I know nothing about him but St. Mirren are certainly doing well.
5

Bert added 16:58 - Apr 4 Rumour has it that Nigel Farage was interested until he became aware of our Irish and non English players.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:03 - Apr 4 Dont think EVA fans would have it but could be wrong. How can Parses be 4 to 1? Thats bookies picking nos out of thin air. I can't see Parses anywhere near even the longlis. Burnley made a decent case for Mogga in the EDO and having seen Shefquis record in Finland I feel like that might be a worthwhile gamble although still lacking a bit of experience for me. This chap sounds like a decent candidate but the Calibre of the league he's comming from woulf worry Im Still dutch fella, Luton chap or Cook as it stands.

7

baldman added 17:19 - Apr 4 What about Neil Lennon doing good at hibs good manager all round for me
-8

thechangingman added 17:43 - Apr 4 Having read this post I'd say that the only statement worth believing at this stage is that MM likes pissing people off!! ;0)
15

blue75 added 18:04 - Apr 4 Please no proper goals Pardew!!
3

Taricco_Fan added 18:06 - Apr 4 @Bert The same Nigel Farage who is married to a German? Must try harder.
3

Cheshire_Blue added 18:18 - Apr 4 The anti McCarthy brigade has created a potential nightmare. Apart from Tony Mowbray(and why would he want to leave Blackburn?) no one in the frame is fit to lick McCarthy's boots.
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HarrisonCWhite added 18:24 - Apr 4 Farage would take the job in case we made backnin to Europe 😂😂😂
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HarrisonCWhite added 18:25 - Apr 4 Wouldn't !!! Wouldn't take the job!! Doh
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:29 - Apr 4 TBH It's unlikely we will see any movement until May.... 8 weeks of speculation
1

algarvefan added 19:02 - Apr 4 It's all paper talk, lets just wait and see. Whoever gets the job, it's going to be just a tough a job as it is now, McCarthy didn't do so bad really but said too much sometimes. There is no magic fix gonna come whoever gets the job.
5

midastouch added 19:07 - Apr 4 http://www.managerstats.co.uk/clubs/ipswich-town/
3

stewartm added 19:16 - Apr 4 Get a manager in on loan....
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blueboy1981 added 19:36 - Apr 4 Even said in jest - another totally irresponsible comment from McCarthy about 'liking to piss people off'. The sooner he goes the better - lets move on - then forget him.
14

bugledog123 added 19:37 - Apr 4 Not Pardew please....
5

rfretwell added 19:37 - Apr 4 If George Burley is keen, get him in. We had a great era under him full off excitement and adventurous attacking play. Yes he got sacked in the end but relegated teams generally find it tough to stabilise in the Championship.
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blueboy1981 added 19:41 - Apr 4 How can anyone be pleased with the fact that we have seven 'loan' players - after nearly six years in the job. Forget the excuse he has had no money to spend (he's asked for none) - where is the evidence of players coming into the 'team' thro' the Academy. Most of our youngsters, are themselves out on loan elsewhere. Abject failure - other than mid table Championship, year in, year out.

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blueboy1981 added 19:43 - Apr 4 And still the 'happy clappers' keep clapping ............... BIZARRE to say the least.
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jas0999 added 20:27 - Apr 4 Surprised after Saturdays comments that MM is still here. Messing with the fans again? Remarkable stuff. In regards to new manager, the betting is interesting. Pardew odds lengthening and Cowley now favourite, personally I don't think he's right for this job. No experience at even league one level. Plays hoof ball. No experience of running the club.
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