Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst says it’s “a compliment” to be linked with the vacancy at Town but says there has been no contact from the Blues. However, the former Grimsby manager offered no guarantee that he would be with League One’s third-placed side next season.

"I'm not going to sit here and say it's not nice to be linked with jobs, because it means you're doing something right," the 43-year-old, the current favourite for the Blues job, told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"All I will do is assure people that my focus is very much on trying to be successful and get this club promoted.”

The long-serving Rotherham left-back added: "It's just a compliment to everyone here and the season that we've had."

Hurst says there has been no contact from Town but when asked whether he could give Shrews fans an assurance he would still be at the Montgomery Waters Meadow next season, he responded: "I can't honestly answer that - it would be wrong for me to sit here and say that. I don't know what's going to happen between now and then.

"All I can honestly say is that I enjoy it here, I've got a good relationship with pretty much everyone at the football club and I want to try and take this club to the Championship.”

Hurst, whose side are guaranteed third and a play-off place, remains the bookies’ favourite to take charge at Town at 2-1 with Bet Victor ahead of former Sunderland and Wales boss Chris Coleman and Shefki Kuqi at 10-1.

Wigan manager Paul Cook is at 12-1, then Tony Mowbray and Frank Lampard at 16-1 and Mark Warburton and Scott Parker at 20-1.

Meanwhile, contrary to reports elsewhere, we understand there has been no contact between the Blues and former coach and skipper Mowbray, who has just led Blackburn Rovers back to the Championship.

However, the man known as Mogga returning to Portman Road looks increasingly unlikely given his success at Ewood Park.

Elsewhere, Lampard, who has been linked with the Blues, has said he’s looking to take his first step into management.

“I’m doing my coaching badges at the moment. I've spent a lot of time at Chelsea this year, gaining hours of experience," he said.

"I've already managed to get my A Licence in coaching. So yes, with the right opportunity and right timing for me, I'd really take a very close look at it.”

Lampard's former England team-mate Steven Gerrard, who is understood to have spoken with Town, appears all but certain to be taking the reins at Rangers.

The Glasgow club are reportedly confident a deal is close to being agreed with the Liverpool legend.

Elsewhere, TWTD understands Notts County boss Kevin Nolan is among the numerous potential candidates whose name has been put forward to Town owner Marcus Evans.

Ex-Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham man Nolan, 35, took over at Notts County, who are fifth in League Two, in January 2017 having previously had a short spell in charge at Leyton Orient.

The former England U21 international would appear to be a big outside for the job.

Meanwhile skipper Luke Chambers says he's looking forward to working with the new boss, whoever ultimately takes charge.

“There seems to be a lot of excitement amongst the supporters at the moment,” the currently-injured Chambers writes in Sunday's match programme.

“Hopefully that can put us in a good place and we can start the new season on a high.

“There will be a new manager coming in and that means a new challenge for us all but it’s one I’m personally looking forward to and the lads in the dressing room will be as well.

“I’m interested in seeing how a new manager will work, to get to know them and their way of going about getting this club where we all want it to be.

“Ipswich Town is in my heart and I’ll do anything I can to help us move in the right direction.”

Photo: Action Images

carsey added 08:31 - May 4 Much as I admired Lampard as a player I'm not sure I'd want him here because 'Arry would undoubtedly have some influence and he is most definitely yesterdays man and not someone I would want involved at Town for all sorts of other reasons.
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 09:03 - May 4 Kevin No No No.
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Europablue added 09:03 - May 4 Currie10 I think a lot can be said about the character of a team by the character of the manager, so I can understand why a lot of people might not want Kevin Nolan. I'm quite sure he wouldn't be playing the Ipswich way. Some first time coaches can be great. What I don't want is someone like Sol Campbell who complains he can never get a job, but doesn't appear to want to get his hands dirty in the lower leagues.

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BrettenhamBlue added 09:10 - May 4 Defo the kind of manager we should be looking for. Meanwhile see MM has been interviewed in the North East. https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2018/4/30/17301304/the-mac-is-back-ex-ipswich-b
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BrettenhamBlue added 09:12 - May 4 "Interviewed" being used very loosely here.
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Blue_Meanie added 09:31 - May 4 Who cares about MM ; he's nothing to do with us now. Couldn't give a flying one.
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Barty added 11:07 - May 4 Paul Hurst would be a good selection
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BrettenhamBlue added 11:49 - May 4 Interesting story here http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/george-burley-wants-to-be-new-ipswich-town-boss-1-55
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BobbyBell added 11:51 - May 4 I was hoping that a deal had already been done with him but his comments suggest otherwise. I think he would be interested though. I just hope ME doesn't dilly dally too long and another club swoops in and grabs him first.
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:14 - May 4 We won't approach him until Shrewsbury's season is over, one way or the other.
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Esseeja added 00:47 - May 10 Can't believe we all thought he would do well here. we all fell for it.
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