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

bedsitfc added 17:00 - Apr 29 Tractorboybig. ???? ME has already employed 3 dead donkeys? Who are they? Like it or not employing MM was a very wise move.. He just held on to him for to long. Everyone I think was happy with Paul jewel the way he got Wigan promoted enjoyable to watch, but job was a bit to big after the one dead donkey that ME did employ but I think he learned his lesson with that one.

3

Seasider added 18:24 - Apr 29 Agree with you Monkey Blue about Kuqi. With said to be 100 applications Marcus will be spoilt for choice.All the Managers I want are currently in post,and the fact that Mr Evans is unlikely to make a decision for another month leads me to hope that it wont be any of those currently on the 'Managerial Merry-go-round'. The Taiwan Manager and Maurice Steijn are two of my favourites;but we shall all have to leave it to the owner to decide,hope he makes the right choice ! However the only fans poll that I am aware of considering our next manager;came out with Steijn as the favourite. Did he go to Herenveen in the end,as hasn't featured recently ?

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jas0999 added 18:33 - Apr 29 Let's hope it's not Kuqi. Hurst is certainly in my top three!
6

ricardo55555 added 19:03 - Apr 29 I live in Shrewsbury and support them as my 2nd club and have been to a lot of the home games this season And trust me he's been given no funds (like Mick) and Sherewsbury was one of the favourites to be relegated but Paul Hurst still manages to play the ball on the floor and actually plays pretty attractive football. Would really like the guy at our club
7

BigOlBlue added 20:07 - Apr 29 I have to say that I think Gary White is a very interesting prospect. He's got a great track record at both international and club sides, working with little resources and getting the best out of players. He's an elite FA coach and he talks a good talk. I'd love to see him in there with someone doing a director of football role. Not sure about Burley tbh but there are plenty of people out there who could do the role. The main thing is whether ME would go down the DofF route in the first place

3

wayway added 20:35 - Apr 29 Paul Cook, as long as he brings Nick Powell with him, a midfielder who will not run through a brick wall but has the brains to look for the door. Could bring Will Grigg as well
4

Taricco_Fan added 20:41 - Apr 29 Coleman is now favourite it seems. Although he did a good job with Wales his club record is uninspiring. I don't rate him at all.
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Dissboyitfc added 21:32 - Apr 29 I really hope its not Coleman! Cant believe Marcus would appoint another Sunderland reject!, would he?
4

MickMillsTash added 22:20 - Apr 29 Cook is a scouser - best avoid see P.Jewell Big step from Div1 to the Championship but this guy must know the league well and with a bit of budget could be interesting- at least 2 of Bishop, Hows, Dozzell, Ademyi fit for some of the season would help a lot.
2

wychyblue added 22:27 - Apr 29 Watch a bit of Shrewsbury as I live up here so go to the midweek games ( weekend games are ITFC) as my godson plays for them . I'm very unsure about him to be fair and I agree that he has done brilliant for the Shrews. His style at Shrewsbury is about high pressure and a little defensive . A lot of their results have been 1-0 or at least single goals. But, they were favourite for relegation so he has to play a certain way to get results with the players he has got .I have also followed the fortunes of Maurice stein at vvv this season and he is very similar ( indeed beaten 4-1 tonight by rodja and thrashed last week at Ajax ) . Not sure he is the answer either . Paul Cook is the stand out candidate currently and ticks loads of boxes on the fans 'desirable' list . But can Marcus make ITFC attractive enough for him to make the move . Good luck Mr Evans

3

Dyland added 09:56 - Apr 30 Interesting candidate. Out of all the more experienced "names" being bandied about the only one I'd be excited about is the one who is not strictly speaking available, Tony Mowbray.
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Cheshire_Blue added 10:11 - Apr 30 It will always be difficult to find the right man when you have just hounded out the best man for the job. Time will tell.
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1RWR added 11:09 - Apr 30 Cheshire Blue: I take it you mean MM? Get a grip, lad!
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bedsitfc added 13:08 - Apr 30 I think appointment will depend on what ME is looking for? A first team coach or a Manager. Chris Coleman done really well as welsh coach maybe because all he had to worry about was first team football same as Pardew a both great coaches but not such a great managers.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 14:26 - Apr 30 Sorry Ricardo agree with you down arrow by mistake
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Paddy39 added 16:46 - Apr 30 GARY WHITE - GARY WHITE - GARY WHITE. Up and coming. Myself I'm fed up with all the usual faces on the managerial merry go round. Sacked from one job and then they get another, being sacked means you were cr@p so lets not have any of them here.
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