Portuguese manager José Gomes, who is currently in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Taawoun, is reported to have claimed he is in what are described as "early negotiations" with Town.

According to RTP News, Gomes told radio station Antena 1 that he has begun discussions with the Blues regarding the manager’s position which will become vacant when Mick McCarthy moves on in the summer.

“The enthusiasm is very big regarding the conversations and meetings that my agent has had in England,” Sport Witness quotes Gomes as having said in the interview.

“Because getting into a league like the Championship would indeed be extraordinary for my career.

“Football in England would be the embrace of a dream. Because it’s football with a contagious enthusiasm, with a lot of intensity, even in Championship we see stadiums filled with 20,000, 30,000 spectators in every game.”

While it might well be true that 47-year-old Gomes’s representatives have made contact with Town, the much-travelled boss, who is also said to be interesting another Saudi club Al-Hilal, would appear a very unlikely successor to McCarthy.

Gomes’s numerous previous clubs include Portuguese sides Leiria, Moreirense and Aves, as well a stint in in Hungary with Videoton and spells as an assistant at Porto, in Spain at Malaga and in Greece with Panathinaikos.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee David Unsworth, 44, currently U23s coach and director of coaching at Everton, is said to be among those interested in the Town job.

Unsworth's only experience in first-team management up to now are spells as caretaker-boss at Preston and with the Toffeemen.

VVV-Venlo boss Maurice Steijn is again being linked with the Blues having been erroneously rumoured to be a Town target last summer.

The 44-year-old Dutchman has been tipped for a move to a bigger club this summer but would appear very much an outsider for the Portman Road job.

Photo: TWTD

armchaircritic59 added 00:09 - Apr 7 Yes dusth, you're right about them being very experienced international footballers. However, that certainly didn't apply to their managerial experience, and as we know, some cut it as a good/top manager, a lot don't!
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grumpyoldman added 08:10 - Apr 7 dusth the three were experienced internationals but that in itself is no guarantee of success. The point is taking a gamble on a young manager sometimes works, Dysche at Burnley was appointed the same season as MM, honestly which clubs last six seasons would you have preferred to experience.
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budgieplucker added 09:33 - Apr 7 Great one @timmyh, I think I have hurt myself laughing at that one I think Phil may have been a bit slow publishing this one, it probably came out on April 1st.
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stewartm added 10:14 - Apr 7 Lets hope the news source is wrong and its the owners of the Saudi club that are looking to buy Ipswich? Pep Guardiola etc or am I dreaming...
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Arnie added 10:36 - Apr 7 Are we so desperate for Mick's replacement we seriously believe any old paper rubbish. Remember when Steve the Wally was lined up to take over and is he still favourite for the job, I don't think so.
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Stato added 10:58 - Apr 7 I hope we have someone going to watch the Lincoln v Shrewsbury cup final. I really like the profile of Paul Hurst.
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Lightningboy added 12:24 - Apr 7 There's no rush..wait to see what happens with Mowbray/Blackburn before making any rash decisions please.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 12:48 - Apr 7 Pardew is still 2nd favourite with the bookies. (I think he has a 5% win ratio this year!) not heard much on here about where that might have come from. I assume it just that he's unemployed. I think ME is going for Mowbray, it's only a feeling but I think George Burley would be recommending Mowbray too.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:04 - Apr 7 I agree Tim, same feeling. Worry is we hold out for Mogga and he says no or Blackburn don't let us talk to him and in the meantime we miss out on the other candidates we all like. Hurst, Cook, Luton fella are all names I dont mind us being linked with. Even Cowley who I understand lives in Essex. Whilst I understand the appeal of Mowbray he's only about 5 or 6 on my list. Firmly in the Steijn camp as it stands

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Seasider added 15:09 - Apr 7 Steijn has a very good CV,much better than this chap. In fact I would say that the Dutchman seems to have far more credibility than any of the other names so far mooted,in my humble opinion.
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runningout added 17:10 - Apr 7 going to be negatives with whoever we bring as manager
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rubbleblue added 19:30 - Apr 7 Cowley first choice or can we have the God of Butcher grace the touchline. Knows what the faithful want
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cactusjack added 23:28 - Apr 7 Can someone assasinate pardew so hes out of the question please
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Hatman added 18:51 - Apr 8 Danny Cowley for ITFC Manager!
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Godders999 added 01:46 - Apr 11 GUS POYET & TARICO - They have to be the ones to take this club forward. Plenty of Championship experience and they play football the way it should be played. Plus there is bit of blue blood in TARICO. They would have a good philosophy and the players would listen and learn huge. Give them a go, they cannot and will not do any worse than the last regime. Infact, I'd bet on a playoff place next season as a minimum. Go get them ME.

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