Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst continues to be linked with the Blues manager’s job.

According to The Sun on Sunday, Hurst is interesting Town owner Marcus Evans, who it's said will wait until the outcome of the League One play-offs - the Shrews will finish third in League One - before naming his new manager with the final at Wembley on May 27th.

Hurst was one of the first names mentioned in connection with the Blues vacancy after former boss Mick McCarthy announced that he would be departing at the end of last month and TWTD understands the 43-year-old is among the potential new bosses to be recommended to Evans.

The Town owner, who confirmed he is likely to make the appointment at the end of May or early in June earlier this week, has widely sought opinion from his contacts in the game - who include agents as well as senior football figures such as David Pleat - as he searches for his new boss.

Hurst has impressed since taking over at the Montgomery Waters Meadow in October 2016 having worked within a limited budget, something he would have to do if he were to be appointed at Portman Road.

Former Rotherham left-back Hurst was previously joint-manager of Ilkeston Town, Boston United and Grimsby alongside his former Millers team-mate Rob Scott before taking charge of the Mariners on his own in 2013.

In addition to the names proposed to Evans as he begins the process of appointing his new manager - interviews are understood to be starting this week - Town have received around 100 applications for the job with a number of very experienced bosses believed to be among those to have initiated contact.

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard, also among those to have been recommended to Evans, looks increasingly likely to be appointed the new Rangers manager with reports this morning indicating that the Liverpool legend has agreed to take the Ibrox job with his former Anfield team-mate Gary McAllister set to be his number two.

Betting-wise, ex-Blues striker Shefki Kuqi remains the favourite with Bet Victor at 3-1 with Wigan manager Paul Cook at 6-1, Hurst and Tony Mowbray at 12-1, Sol Campbell at 16-1 and former Rangers, Nottingham Forest and Brentford boss Mark Warburton at 20-1 alongside Taiwan manager Gary White.

Photo: Action Images

Monkey_Blue added 11:15 - Apr 29 This is a name that doesn't fill me with dread. I however do worry that MM in general was pretty good with his free transfers and also wonder if the likes of Fraser, Lawrence, Maitland Nile's and Celina will be as willingly trusted to us with a inexperienced manager. I'd be happier with him than Kuqi though, but Kuqi wouldn't be in my top 5 or 10 of the names mentioned. His odds must be a reaction to bets rather than any inside info as Evans could have appointed him now if they were as keen as the bookies odds suggest. He's 1/8 with one bookie according to the sporting life.

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NoCanariesAllowed added 11:27 - Apr 29 This guy is probably top of my list right now. * Has achieved a lot in the last three seasons - and with two different clubs to boot * Knows how to succeed without having a fortune to spend * Has experience at a reasonable level of English football * Young * English (not that I'm averse to foreign coaches but I'd love us to play our part in the further improvement of domestic coaching talent - not to mention keeping in line with our fine record of English bosses in bygone years) * Would hopefully see the ITFC job as a privilege in itself, not a stepping stone or personal platform Haven't seen enough of Shrewsbury to comment on playing style but the above criteria is of great encouragement to me.

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Ipswichbusiness added 11:30 - Apr 29 Sorry Monkey Blue, I can't agree with you about Kuqi. We need a manager with a track record in the English leagues. Hurst has done very well at lower levels and I think it's time he joined a bigger club. He would be my first choice, although I agree that Cook and Mowbray would be excellent alternatives.
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Dalty added 11:47 - Apr 29 NoCanariesAllowed - A colleague of mine is from Shrewsbury, he spoke positively of Hurst's style of football when I asked him. Was glad to hear as think it's important to pick someone with a different style of football to MM as that seemed to be the main reason people wanted change (hence why I'm glad the Cowleys seem to be out of the running). Of those linked, I'd be happiest with any of Cook, Hurst, Adams, Clarke and Jones. I have heard the former left Pompey for Wigan to be back in his native NW so not sure if he'd fancy a move back down south, also don't think we're much of a step up in budgetary terms from his current club. The others all seem like realistic targets, hope ME makes the right choice as in a different way it's just as big an appointment as MM's was.

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JCBLUE added 11:47 - Apr 29 Lower league, but stats look good ..... overall win % just above 50% Managerial record by team and tenure Team From To Record P W D L Win % Ilkeston Town (joint)24 October 2008 2 July 2009 29 18 6 5 62.1 Boston United (joint) 2 July 2009 23 March 2011 75 45 16 14 60.0 Grimsby Town (joint) 23 March 2011 19 September 2013 132 59 38 35 44.7 Grimsby Town 19 September 2013 24 October 2016 182 90 46 46 49.5 Shrewsbury Town 24 October 2016 Present 93 45 23 25 48.4 Total 510 256 129 125 50.2

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martin587 added 11:55 - Apr 29 In my opinion he would be my number one choice.Proved his worth in the lower leagues and performed a miracle at Shrewsbury. A young up and coming manager with a lot to offer and prove in a higher league.I just hope we can persuade him to come here.🤔
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Skuse4ballondor added 12:07 - Apr 29 He doesn't play the attacking style the club needs. They've scored 60 goals, only 5 more than us. A lot of 1-0 wins, it would be better for the club if we appointed a more attacking minded lower league manager such as Mowbray, Cook or Jones. After the last 5 and 1/2 years of defensive football I thought most of the fans wanted a more attacking minded manager rather than the more defensively structured style of Hurst.

2

BlueandTruesince82 added 12:08 - Apr 29 Defo in my Top 3 of those who are still jumping the fences. Steijn, Cook, Hurst. Would be on the whole pretty happy if Hurst got the job
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Edmundo added 12:17 - Apr 29 Ticks a lot of boxes for what we and (apparently) ME is looking for. Think he'did admit he's taken Shrewsbury as far as he can, especially if they go up via the playoffs. Up there for me with Mogga and N Jones.
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Monkey_Blue added 12:25 - Apr 29 Ipswichbusiness- what do you disagree with me about on Kuqi. Your list of what we need says Kuqi isn't the man. Ltd sucess and some significant failure despite financial issues says to me Kuqi would be like placing all your money on one number at the roulette table.
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northernblues added 12:44 - Apr 29 Having watched Shrewsbury a couple of times there football is direct and a bit dirty
1

ShropshireBluenago09 added 12:48 - Apr 29 Living in Shrewsbury, i watch them often. Ive been to about 7 home games this season. Hurst has transformed Shrewsbury into a team that is challenging for promotion to the Championship, on a very small budget. His best signings; N'siala and Nolan he bought in from Grimsby, his old club. Over the last month or so injuries and suspensions have hit them at the worst time and Shrews have suffered as a consequence. He certainly has an eye for a player and has a very very calm manor, which may suit us. My only fear is that he could be too laid back. Total opposite to my personal favourite Paul Cook.

5

foot_kick_ball_goal added 13:42 - Apr 29 Well, Shrewsbury's last game against Blackpool; Hurst went for a 3,2,4,1 formation which could play as an attacking line-up depending on who you stick in there. A back 3 of Knudsen, Webster and Spence. Huws and Skuse in front of them. Ward, Garner, Dozzel and Carayol at left wing as the next line. Waghorn up-front. The bench could be nice with McGoldrick, Bishop, Gerken, Chambers, Sears, Cotter and Downes. Whoever we get in as manager; I think that they some pretty good players to choose from. If Rowe still isn't up to task; we could do with getting in another LM though... let's hope the injuries aren't as bad next season.

2

midastouch added 14:15 - Apr 29 https://www.fromthetofubowl.com/single-post/2018/04/25/Gary-White-has-thrown-his Article quote: "It's pretty much an open secret at this point that Gary White would love to be working back in England, and any team wise enough to give him a chance as well as time to develop his structures and methods would definitely reap the rewards. To get that chance, however, he may have to get a fat Sam Allardyce Scooby Do mask or change his name to Gazzino Whitino before clubs in England take notice." I'd like Gary White to get an interview, he could be the dark horse to take us forwards. Some of the other names we're being linked with such as Cook, Hurst, Jones and Steijn might be the right fit. It's just impossible to tell. Getting a new manager to tick all the right boxes isn't an exact science. Lampard and Gerrard could also be a good fit potentially but again due to their lack of experience they are unknown quantities. Hopefully the interview process will help determine who best fits the bill to take us forwards. I'd say all of the above are deserving of an interview. Get them all in the building if they are open to it and see who stands out as the best from the bunch. Some might not buy into the vision that Marcus outlined in his interview and if so they wouldn't really be compatible for the role.

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midastouch added 14:16 - Apr 29 And Graham Potter might be worth considering too.
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bobble added 14:20 - Apr 29 wenger or ange or that italian geezer...
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Taricco_Fan added 14:29 - Apr 29 The most sensible option in my view. He's doing an excellent job with Shrewsbury, a club that was expected to be in a relegation scrap this year. He's young, his career is on the up and he will genuinely view the Ipswich job as a massive opportunity. I like Paul Cook as well but not sure he will leave Wigan to come here as it could be viewed as a sideways move.
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TotalBlue added 15:08 - Apr 29 I wouldn't complain to this appointment my heart says Kuqi my head says Hurst. My biggest concern with Kuqi is hi interview n this great site. Sounds great bloke but has quit every club when going got tough but I think he could be another George Burley although I wouldn't complain at his return either
1

truckerblue added 15:14 - Apr 29 Agree with midastouch. Burley as director of football and Gary White as first team coach for me.
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ajs83 added 15:15 - Apr 29 Chris Coleman has just left Sunderland, he's now 7/4 favourite on SkyBet. Disastrous spell at Sunderland was largely do to the club being run very poorly and other circumstances that were beyond his control. He faced an impossible task there. But he did a very good job with Fulham and Wales. Thoughts?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:29 - Apr 29 Think Coleman was bang average at Fulham, useless in Spain and for Wales pitted his word again mostly bang average teams. No from me. Seems a good bloke but don't fancy him as a manger. In even taking the Sundeerland job I have to question his judgement. Was never going to keep them up.
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flimflam added 15:39 - Apr 29 This is the man I have wanted from the start and would be a perfect fit for us. I have a Shrew supporting friend who would be devastated if he left and cannot speak highly enough of him.
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MooseJuice added 15:54 - Apr 29 Midas I completely agree with everything you've just said!!! As far as Hurst's playing style goes, I watched them play Bradford a couple of weeks ago. Their left back picked up a second yellow early in the second half but instead of playing for a point, two minutes later he took off a midfielder and stuck on another striker! I like the way this guy thinks.
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ivandeighton added 15:59 - Apr 29 Coleman surely can not be favorite
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tractorboybig added 16:26 - Apr 29 This report is in the sun,,,so it must be a lie. Coleman well a dead donkey but evans has employed three of them prior.
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