TWTD understands former England international Scott Parker is among the candidates for the Town manager’s job.

The 37-year-old is currently Tottenham’s U18s coach having hung up his boots after four seasons at Fulham last summer.

Parker has long held management ambitions and he began working on his badges and coaching youngsters while he was at the height of his playing career, which saw him represent Charlton, Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham in addition to the Cottagers and a short spell on loan at Norwich, as well as winning 18 full caps.

It’s likely Parker was recommended to Town by David Pleat, who still has strong links with Spurs and is a long-time associate of Blues owner Marcus Evans and certain to be among those he liaises with and takes advice from as he looks to appoint the Blues manager.

Given his lack of first-team management experience, Parker would almost certainly be joined by a more senior figure assisting him, as would presumably also be the case with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who is also in the running for the Blues vacancy but is now strongly linked with Rangers.

It’s believed Evans will begin interviewing candidates for the Town job next week, although we understand Sol Campbell is not currently among those who is set to be spoken to, contrary to a report last night.

One name on what’s likely to be a lengthy list, with Evans casting his net widely, as he seeks his new boss is Jaap Stam, former manager of tomorrow’s opponents Reading, who TWTD previously reported was interesting Evans earlier in the month.

Ex-Blues striker Shefki Kuqi remains the bookies’ favourite at 2-1 with Bet Victor followed by Wigan's Paul Cook, 5-1, Campbell at 8-1, Tony Mowbray at 10-1 and then Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst, Mark Warburton and Taiwan boss Gary White at 16-1.

Evans said earlier in the week that he expects to make his appointment late in May or at the start of June.

Photo: Action Images

Seasider added 16:57 - Apr 27 The best one of those mentioned today,and would be in similar mould to Lampard;but of the two think would prefer Frank. Not Jaap Staam,would prefer the other Dutchman,and I don't mean Steve McClaren lol.Who would manage over in Holland;and after a year come back and start to speak English with a Dutch accent.A Wally even without the brolly.
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TimmyH added 17:10 - Apr 27 Another thing which makes the club attractive for the management position is that we're by and large not one to' hire and fire' quickly like numerous other ones even Paul Jewell lasted 20 months and he was dismal - the board/owner generally leaves the manager to himself in regards to signings etc. other than financial discussions.
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DurhamTownFan added 18:16 - Apr 27 This is actually one inexperienced name that I would think about. Unlike some of the others named, Parker was always able to speak intelligently about the game and clearly knows his own mind (unlike Campbell who seems to change who is is from week to week-didn't he once want to be London mayor?!) I'd give him an interview, anyway
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armchaircritic59 added 18:17 - Apr 27 Have to say Scotty Parker is one i hadn't even thought of ( i dare say there will be one or two more of those over the next month). What i'd say to ME is, no harm in hearing what he's got to say, which pretty much goes for a number of the candidates that have been mentioned (except the merry go rounders!) The more i've read about Gary White, the more i like the sound of him. Yes, a gamble, but who wouldn't be, there's no guarantees with anyone. So, i've definitely added him to my shortlist (which is gradually becoming a longlist!) It goes something like this: Marco Silva (almost certainly bound for higher things, such as Benfica, if what i've heard is correct, and i dare say, probably out of our salary range!) Arsene Wenger (Very similar to the above). Though he did state that he'd like another crack at managing a top european side. So if anyone knows a good hypnotist that can persuade him it's the early 1980's.........! A bit more seriously. Glen Hoddle (would certainly play the game the way it appears most town fans would like to see. Just don't bring along a certain Miss/Mrs Drewery please!) Maurice Steijn. Impressing in the the top dutch league, which we know isn't what it once was. However there still aren't many teams of the quality of PSV, Ajax, etc, in the championship! Others that i'd consider, the likes of Jack Ross, John Coleman (not Chris), could go on, but i'm guessing there will be a few more names thrown into the pot , that practically no one had thought of! For me this is THE make or break decision for Marcus. Please be careful who you get advice from!

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budgieplucker added 19:03 - Apr 27 With Alan Curbishly now living in Woodbridge and supposedly attending ITFC games a Curbishley dof and a Scott Parker appointment is not an uninteresting prospect. I too recall Scott's last game at Portman Road and have a lot of admiration for him as a player and a person. I don't think he would carry an ego like other big name ex players but would be a great motivator and professsional. His Spurs schooling as a player and a coach will have given him some good grounding for some form of managers role

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oldelsworthyfan added 19:48 - Apr 27 Alf came from Spurs and he did ok
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westernblue added 19:58 - Apr 27 Well,Curbishley may have brought his money to Woodbridge, but he retired many years ago (when I was still young-ish and working myself). Still, Scott Parker (plus someone else ) is an interesting possibility. I have said before that if we want real change then John Coleman (Accringon Stanley - I know, people joke about them), now mentioned by armchaircritic59 (respect, sir/madam), should be a serious contender - he has a good history, especially in working with Paul Cook (Wigan). That said, Maurice Steijn (VVV Venlo) increasingly looks to me an intriguing possibility. He likes youth, has brought a small club successfully into the Dutch top division - and, whenever he is asked in Dutch TV interviews about ITFC he changes the subject. He looks too good to be true, and as a lover of Muhren, Thijssen, Uhlenbeek and Martijn Reuser, I am beginning to hope that ME goes for him.

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Karlosfandangal added 20:48 - Apr 27 Paul Cook looks a good bet doing well at Wigan.......it was hoof ball against Man City and a lot of defending which is no surprise.....yet open football in the league....so someone who can entertain and grind out a result when need be. Championship football a big step up but Cook better placed than someone who has yet to cut their teeth in management
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armchaircritic59 added 00:18 - Apr 28 westernblue, just to let you know that i'm a Sir (i wish!) I agree that Accrington Stanley have been the butt of jokes. I don't know why, but they in some ways are a roll model for clubs that have been disbanded, only to rise from the ashes again a few years later and now find themselves in League One. The manager (john Coleman) has done a terrific job there with hardly any budget at all. He's not a youngster (55) but he knows what he's doing, and does it by getting his team playing football. So that's the reason i put his name forward (among the other names). I'm also with you on Maurice Steijn, as i've posted above. Aside from his management skills, we havn't fared too badly with previous Dutch Employees!

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blueherts added 08:19 - Apr 28 It has to be Benny and Bjorn for me
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RedWhiteAndBLUE added 12:11 - Apr 28 The more I think about it the more I like the idea of Parker, particularly if Curbishley could be involved too. One of my favourite players, great determination which hopefully he'd be able to bring to the managerial role. He's also got good links in the game through his work with Spurs. Not my #1 choice (another punt, on Stein) but definitely second/third with Warburton.

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PortmanTerrorist added 13:07 - Apr 28 If we talking midfielders, why let Magilton have a go at finishing the decent job he was doing ?
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