TWTD understands former England international midfielder Scott Parker was among those to be interviewed by Blues owner Marcus Evans earlier in the week.

The 37-year-old, who TWTD revealed was among those in the running to take over at Town a fortnight ago, is looking to make his first step into management having spent this season coaching Tottenham’s U18s after hanging up his boots following four campaigns at Fulham last summer.

Parker has long held ambitions to become a manager and he began working on his badges and coaching youngsters while he was at the height of his playing career, which saw him represent Charlton, Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham in addition to the Cottagers, as well as a short spell on loan at Norwich, and win 18 full caps.

As previously reported, Blues owner Marcus Evans began interviewing candidates last week and has continued to meet with prospective new Town bosses in the last few days.

The interview process will continue into next week when Evans is set to hold talks with St Mirren manager Jack Ross having been given permission to speak to the 41-year-old by his current club.

News of the Blues’ approach to St Mirren has seen Ross elevated to 2-1 odds-on favourite with Bet Victor ahead of Paul Hurst, 2-1 against, whose Shrewsbury side are in League One play-off action at Charlton this evening (Sky Sports Football 7.30pm).

Shefki Kuqi is at 10-1, Parker has moved up to 14-1 with Simon Grayson at 16-1, Tim Sherwood at 20-1 and then Danny Cowley, Frank Lampard, George Burley, John McGreal, Mark Warburton, Paul Cook and Tony Mowbray all at 25-1.

Elsewhere, Steve McClaren, an early link with the Town vacancy, is reportedly set to take over at QPR following Ian Holloway’s departure this afternoon.

Holloway, 55, was spoken to by the Blues as a potential alternative to first-choice Mick McCarthy when he was appointed in November 2012 but seems unlikely to be in the running this time around.

Photo: Action Images

NITFC added 13:17 - May 11 I see Scott Parker as a well spoken, educated excellent footballer who now wants to move on to the next stage of his career. A Matt Holland type of character if you like. How many people would be disappointed if Matt Holland were some way involved in the new management team? Not many I suspect
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Craig1878 added 13:27 - May 11 After reading lots of various comments and opinions about who should and shouldn't be the next manager, personally I think every one needs to take a deep breath and calm down. Whoever is appointed isn't going to please everyone as everyone has a different opinion of who it should be. Any manager, whether it be Pep or Jose, or someone with zero managerial experience is going to be gamble. Every day there is a new name in the frame. There are some that I, like everyone else, would want or be willing to give them a chance, Ross, White, Hurst and the like. And some that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole, Pardew, MaClaren and dear God no Holloway (would rather have MM back) Let's wait and see, personally I wouldn't be unhappy with only of the 3 I mentioned earlier, Ross, White or Hurst.

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bluedickie added 13:57 - May 11 I'd be happy with Parker if he brings Lady Penelope and the rest of the Thunderbird crew with him
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BobbyBell added 14:20 - May 11 How about a manager who moulds a team rather than builds a huge squad. I get fed up with the massive turnover of players. Let's find our best 11 plus 5 or 6 benchies and try to build a team that plays like a team. Rotating 25 players for the sake of it does nothing for consistency. I don't know the stats but I would guess that Wolves had a fairly settled side.
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ChrisFelix added 15:49 - May 11 I recall alf Ramsey came to ipswich straight after playing. It's not his experience which matters it's his ideas & motivational skills which we now know Alf had in buckets. If Scot Parker ia able to sell himself at the interview I'm happy
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Fatboy added 18:56 - May 11 From Jan 2016: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/21/scott-parker-management-st-geor
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itfcgene added 19:32 - May 11 It has to be someone with transfer market experience.
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ronnyd added 20:37 - May 11 Fatboy, Good link, sounds very level headed and focused.
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coolcat added 23:19 - May 11 Don't see why not. Eddie Howe has been very successful as a young manager. It was a long time ago but Sir Alf Ramsey was 35 when he was appointed as Ipswich Town manager. It was his first managerial appointment after retiring from the game & had no coaching quals. First to take Ipswich to top flight as well in a relatively short space of time.
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budgieplucker added 23:27 - May 11 Whilst I think Jack Ross is a very good candidate, I can't help thinking that Scott Parker with an experienced assistant is starting to become a very compelling alternative. On an earlier forum when interest in Scott first appeared I suggested that Allan Curbishly now living in Woodbridge could just be the man to assist Scott. The attached article seems to allude to such a close relationship. A fellow poster though seemed to suggest that Allan Curbishly has well and truly retired. I think it appeared that Allan had been out of the game too long but actually people didn't realise or forgotten that was a couple of years or so ago when he acted as assistant manager to Kit Symonds at Fulham

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