Shrewsbury chief executive Brian Caldwell has conceded it’s inevitable other clubs will show interest in Shrews’ manager Paul Hurst given their success this season. We understand the 43-year-old, who is the bookies’ latest favourite to take over at Town, is a very serious contender for the job having been among those recommended to Blues owner Marcus Evans, but it’s reported no contact has yet been made with League One’s third-placed side.

“There is nothing we can do,” Caldwell told the Shropshire Star. “It is down to the success we’ve had this season and last since he’s come here.

“He’s really kicked the club on. I think it’s inevitable, because of the success he’s had, he’s going to get linked with other jobs, we appreciate and understand that.

“As long as we’re all honest with each other, I’d suggest there will be a time when Paul will get the right job offered to him. I’m not saying it’s just now and we want that to be as long in the future as possible.

“If you’ve not got an ambitious manager who wants to go on and do better and better all of the time then you won’t succeed. It’s inevitable the success that he’ll get linked with most jobs. It’s like ‘here we go again’.”

Caldwell hopes Hurst, who took over at the Montgomery Waters Meadow in October 2016 following a successful spell in charge at Grimsby, will remain with the Shrews, who could reach the Championship this season via the play-offs, for a while yet.

“The relationship that Paul, myself and the chairman have got, we talk on a regular basis,” he added. “There’s a lot of trust between the three of us. It’s an important link. We’ll always be honest and straight.

“I don’t think we need to do anything because Paul understands we can’t go and spend X amount of pounds on a player. We’ll live within our means as we always will.

“Paul is not the type to get upset and say he wants to go somewhere else. Everybody is ambitious in life. There will come a time he perhaps wants to move on, but as long as he continues to be successful we hope it’s in a few years’ time.”

Hurst is now the 5-2 favourite for the vacancy with Bet Victor ahead of Chris Coleman at 6-1, the former Wales manager having briefly headed the betting yesterday following his Sunderland exit.

Shefki Kuqi is third favourite at 8-1, Wigan’s Paul Cook is at 10-1, then ex-Blues boss Roy Keane a shock and very unlikely entry into the market at 12-1 with Tony Mowbray 14-1, Östersunds manager Graham Potter another new name in the running at 20-1 alongside Sol Campbell, and Mark Warburton and Taiwan manager Gary White at 25-1.

Meanwhile, TWTD understands Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke, whose name is yet to cross the bookies’ radar, is another of the managers to have been recommended to Blues owner Evans, who it's believed is starting the process of interviewing potential candidates this week.

The 54-year-old, formerly manager at West Brom and Reading as well as assistant boss at Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham, Liverpool and Aston Villa, has had a hugely impressive season at Rugby Park since taking over in October last year, overseeing a climb from bottom of the Scottish Premiership with only three points from eight games to their current position of fifth with 55 points from their 35 matches.

Elsewhere, ex-Blues boss Mick McCarthy is the 11-4 on favourite to return to his former club Sunderland following Coleman’s departure.

McCarthy was spotted on South Tyneside yesterday, although it’s understood his presence in the North-East was related to his property portfolio in the area rather than the vacancy at the Stadium of Light, where he was in charge from 2003 and 2006.

Photo: TWTD

Bluewelshman added 14:49 - May 1 For me its Gary White, no baggage (coaches, sackings, bungs etc.), he seems to be able to get the best out of the players he is handed with zero to minimum budget, he has been a manager for 20 years (since he was 23yrs old), and appears to want the job whilst being a highly motivated, confident, and ambitious. I honestly think he could do a good job at Town. COYB
4

Safetyfirstmrwark added 15:07 - May 1 White would be an interesting choice for me too. He talks a good game, is ambitious, has pedigree and no baggage over here
3

TimmyH added 15:39 - May 1 I think Hurst as manager and Burley as Director of Football would be a wise choice but it all depends on if Shrewsbury get promoted.
5

bigolconnor added 16:32 - May 1 The interview with Kuqi made me like him more than ever before but i don't think i'd want him asa manager. The interview with Gary White on the other hand made me want him to sign up immediately. I think him under the guidance of Burley would be my favourite option so far.
2

reva added 16:50 - May 1 what about Aberdeen's Derek McInnes - done a great job at the club and has been touted for a number of jobs south of the border along with Rangers - turned them all down as he has had enough nous to see the problems in the clubs - Ipswich might just be a temptation he cannot resist
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 16:51 - May 1 Hope it's not Steve Clarke, a good coach no doubt but doesn't convince as a manager
2

warktheline added 17:21 - May 1 Steve Clarke would be a grand choice! Done a good job at WBA, and had Reading playing terrific football until he made an 'error' in judgement talking to Fulham! Presently doing 'wonders' at Kilmarnock! He's a manager not a coach, his record speaks for itself! Too many looking for 'glamour' names.....wenger! Get ruddy real!
0

ChrisFelix added 18:05 - May 1 Has any one wondered why George Burley hasn't been involved in football management for the past 5 years
2

dukey44 added 18:41 - May 1 Well I live amongst Sunderland supporters and they reckon micks coming up here as he has unfinished business!!!!
0

brittaniaman added 19:43 - May 1 So Paul Hurst is the manager of the Day for today then ??? Only about 30 more days to go, Tomorrows manager is ............ ??
2

WoodfordTim added 20:38 - May 1 If the Shewsbury chairman is to believed that there has been no contact and if Paul Hurst has not actually applied for the PR job and having read somewhere that interviews are being conducted this week, I wonder how Paul Hurst can be the bookies favorite? Marcus Evans has stated that he will take a calculated risk with this appointment, so could we see Frank Lampard installed with 'arry as director of football? If anyone can get us in the Premier League by getting the best out of a team it's Harry Redknapp.

1

ajs83 added 22:26 - May 1 Apparently according to Liz Edwards we've signed a player from AFC Wimbledon. Lyle Taylor perhaps? It makes me wonder whether the new manager has already been lined up but won't get announced until after the playoffs. I notice that Taylor played under Danny Cowley at Concord Rangers.
0

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls