VVV-Venlo manager Maurice Steijn has insisted he will still be with his current club next season despite reports in the Dutch media linking him with a move to Heerenveen, while he has also been mentioned in connection with the Blues and Vitesse Arnhem.

The 44-year-old saw Venlo to 15th and safety in the Eredivisie having been promoted the previous season.

Following a 1-0 defeat at Utrecht in their final fixture on Saturday, the former ADO Den Haag boss said he anticipates staying at the Seacon Stadion for 2018/19.

”This was not my last match as VVV-Venlo manager because I am still under contract with the club,” FootballOranje.com quotes Steijn as having told broadcaster NOS.

“I have received offers in the previous weeks and months and I admit whilst they were nice clubs I did not view them as an improvement on VVV-Venlo or the club in question chose to appoint a different manager.

“Things can change quickly in football but I expect to be the manager of VVV-Venlo next season.

”There has been no contact from SC Heerenveen neither Vitesse Arnhem when that was mooted. Nice clubs have been linked but you must also not forget that VVV-Venlo is also a nice club.”

Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst remains the bookies’ favourite for the Town vacancy at 2-1 with Bet Victor, while Blues legend George Burley is at 8-1, Shefki Kuqi at 12-1, Wigan boss Paul Cook, who is understood to be close to agreeing a new long-term deal with the Latics, at 16-1 along with ex-Sunderland manager Chris Coleman.

A new name in the frame is long-serving Exeter boss Paul Tisdale, who has been strongly linked with the MK Dons in recent days, at 16-1 to take over at Portman Road, as are Frank Lampard and Tony Mowbray, whose former Blues team-mate and current Colchester manager John McGreal is at 20-1 with Mark Warburton and Scott Parker.

Early favourite Steven Gerrard is now out of the running having been confirmed as Rangers boss on Friday.

Photo: Action Images

BaltachaFanClub added 10:08 - May 7 And I am currently a 2000-1 outsider
7

Monkey_Blue added 10:13 - May 7 I see this as a positive story for those of us that find Steijn an interesting option. Firstly he's not had the approaches we were told he'd had and secondly he's said the ones who have are not a step up. Well Herenveen are nowhere near as big a club as us and probably 2/3rds of the championship. It also means now the season is over and ME gets cracking on interviews he's still available. The previous interviews said strongly he wanted a new challenge and that a challenge in another country appealed. Saying you are going to be somewhere because you are still under contract is hardly “I really want to be here”

7

BlueandTruesince82 added 10:17 - May 7 Not a come and get me that would piss off VVV fans but not a ruling out either. Tilsdale has been solid with Exeter, even good but not convinced he would step up.
4

Suffolk_n_Good added 10:19 - May 7 BaltachaFanClub, at them odds you've just convinced me to stick a tenner on you!!! 🤣⚽️🤣⚽️
6

OwainG1992 added 10:25 - May 7 I find it interesting that he said nothing from the two Dutch sides but doesn't say us or even 'a club from England'. I'd be open to somebody fresh like this guy.
3

eMeM added 10:42 - May 7 I don't understand why so many Town supporters are excited with Steijn. Dutch football is hitting rock bottom now. Better look at German coaches.
-3

Gforce added 10:45 - May 7 Some interesting long shots on the list...... Martijn Reuser 33/1 Bilic 33/1 Patrick Kluivert 40/1 Marco Silva. 40/1 Glenn Hoddle 40/1 Good old Sven 40/1. !!!
1

TimmyH added 11:05 - May 7 I thought Steijn said he was ready for a 'new adventure' about a month ago...I'm fairly sure he probably hasn't be approached by us or Heerenveen yet if he is saying that.
4

Monkey_Blue added 11:22 - May 7 I think if anything this is a very public “Come and get me” I'm still available.
2

Taricco_Fan added 11:24 - May 7 Heerenveen have a 26,000 stadium and average attendance of over 20,000. They are probably fifth in the pecking order of biggest clubs in the Netherlands. Maybe not as attractive a job as working in the Championship but Heerenveen would be a good step up for Steijn giving him the prospect of European football.
4

tractorboybig added 11:25 - May 7 wHO? wHO CARES
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jabberjackson added 11:34 - May 7 With a catapult action like that, he is a shoe-in for the Ipswich job for me. It's not me who decides though, it's ME
1

12th_Man added 12:56 - May 7 A German manager yeah that worked well for norwich didn't it eMeM
2

Taricco_Fan added 13:05 - May 7 Worked well for Huddersfield.
1

Berts_chin added 13:17 - May 7 Tisdale has been top of my wish list since it looked likely that Mick would go, I'd be delighted to see him installed as manager. He's done a sound job at Exeter - taking them up from the Conference into the Football League and then promotion into League One. They have since been relegated into League Two but have made the play offs both last season and this. Tisdale's teams play highly attractive football whilst operating under very tight financial constraints - they are owned by their supporters trust.

2

Keanos_Barmy added 13:26 - May 7 Just checked out Tisdale's wikipedia profile, it makes interesting reading. Many references to attractive football style and states that he has been manager of Exeter since June 2006 and in that time has paid a transfer fee for only one player. Reckon he might just tick the boxes for the Portman Road top job.
2

Town_Jewells added 13:38 - May 7 I'd be happy with Chris Coleman - if he brings Gareth Bale with him! It would be fascinating to compare Coleman's managerial record with Bale in the team to that without. I suspect that he wouldn't be in the frame for a job at a Championship club if his managerial career hadn't involved Bale.
1

heathen66 added 19:50 - May 7 IMO we should just go and get him asap. He would be my No.1 choice, and if this is a route we think we need to go, we need to do it NOW...before it is too late
2

Brownie added 22:03 - May 7 What we should do is get a Spanish manager as Guardiola has just won PL. Or a Brazilian because of Santos at Wolves. What a load of rubbish.. The board needs to step up and find the right candidate. I don't care if there Dutch, French or from deepest Norfolk!
0

Seasider added 22:25 - May 7 No excuse for further delay now season has ended here and in Holland,as further prevarication could Lead to prospective candidates being snapped up,or given improved contract by existing club due to interest shown. Go for it Marcus !
0

Miles added 23:32 - May 7 Tisdale would be a good option but can't really see it. He likes it down in Exeter and is doing well. If we were somehow able to get him that would be a good choice! I live in Exeter and have been to a fair few of their games and they play attractive football, extremely good at promoting youth and has consistently punched above their weight with no financial backing what so ever. My number one choice is still Paul Hurst but there are a few names out there I like the sound of.

1

PortmanTerrorist added 11:21 - May 8 Assume there are good options on the list of candidates who know our Club and have a plan. This guy, and so many others are planning futures elsewhere right now, so if we are serious then we need a rapid appointment so as to not waste pre-season e.g. League 1 promoted Clubs Wigan and Blackburn will already be planning for next season. Come on ME, get it done and if you really undecided then let George Burley have another go even in the short term, that way you might get some season ticket holders back too.

1

Southamptonblue added 16:06 - May 8 Steijn's still my number one choice as long as he wants the job. Maybe he could have Matt Holland as his #2 to make him feel more at home?
1

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