TWTD understands former England skipper Frank Lampard was interviewed for the vacant Town manager’s job earlier today. The 39-year-old is now the second-favourite to take charge at Portman Road.

Rumours that Lampard would be interested in becoming the Blues boss circulated soon after it was announced former manager Mick McCarthy would be moving on this summer, but his name had been mentioned less frequently in connection with the role more recently.

It’s understood today was the second time the Chelsea legend has met with Marcus Evans and it’s believed he impressed the Blues owner.

Lampard, who started his career with West Ham and also represented Manchester City and New York City in a glittering playing career, recently talked about his ambitions to get 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.”

It’s likely Lampard, who won 106 England caps, scoring 29 goals, would appoint an experienced assistant to work alongside him in his first management role, as his former England team-mate Steven Gerrard has done at Rangers where Gary McAllister is his deputy.

Evans has interviewed a number of candidates over the last fortnight with St Mirren boss Jack Ross also having met with the Blues’ owner twice and TWTD understands the 41-year-old still remains the front runner for the job.

Another of Lampard’s England team-mates, Scott Parker, now Tottenham’s U18s coach, is also among those to have been spoken to, along with former Spurs and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood and ex-Reading manager Jaap Stam.

Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst is also understood to be someone Evans is keen to talk to about the vacancy but the Blues have made no formal approach to the Shropshire side and the former Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby boss won’t be in a position to speak to Town until after the League One play-off final a week on Sunday.

Ross remains the favourite to take over at Portman Road at 3-1 odds-on with Bet Victor, but Lampard has now moved ahead of Hurst and is now at 3-1 with the Shrews manager at 4-1.

Photo: Action Images

Vanisleblue2 added 21:37 - May 18 No thank you. He would think he is bigger than the club and it would all be about him and Harry. I don't want our club to be a feeder club for Chelsea either We do not want Harry Redknapp as a free loader Ross or Hurst for me please
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Barhamblue added 21:38 - May 18 I agree with nineteenseventyeight how on earth can you really say no to Lampard, the guy has a huge wealth of playing football at the highest level, he comes over well, very calculated, never can you compare him to that idiot Keane. Frank is doing well for himself getting his badges, like Gerard has, good professional guys. As long as he appoints an experienced number 2 I would welcome frank with open arms. Young manager new ideas, thats what most of you have been calling for. Marcus is doing a well researched job, I'm behind him and his chosen manager 100%.

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bigolconnor added 21:40 - May 18 I had a strong feeling that he would be appointed and have no problem with it. I hated him as a player but very much enjoy him as a pundit and in interviews. Management doesn't necessarily have to be about experience but how you get players to believe in themselves. He comes across as very level headed, intelligent and hugely knowledgable of all things football. Get an ipswich man alongside him and give it a whirl.

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bigolconnor added 21:43 - May 18 Also I would way rather have Lampard than Gerrard, in terms of how they come across in interviews. So if Rangers are prepared to take Gerrard, surely Lampard would be equally or more worth a risk.
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cat added 21:44 - May 18 This could become reality with Marcus and Harry being golfing buddies. Would also account for M.E's gonna try something different statement. Ross is still my first choice, but would I be gutted if Lamps came to manage us, no.
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clivewoodsleftpeg added 21:44 - May 18 Certainly understand why ME would want to interview several candidates before making an appointment and no harm in interviewing Frank, people need to get over the superstar player stigma,Thankfully Roy Keane is a one off, Lampard is a completely different personality who is intelligent, articulate and is probably destined to be a top manager, and thats my big problem with appointing such a person I dont want us to be a stepping stone to bigger better things, wouldnt be upset if he was appointed but would prefer somebody who may be here for the long haul

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Lightningboy added 21:45 - May 18 What most of you who'd love to see Lampard here are missing is if he's successful he'll be off to West Ham or some other prem club asap...we need someone here to build things over the next few seasons and beyond,not somebody using us as a stepping stone over the next 12 months or so. Evans is undoing a lot of good work with all this faffing around over Ross.
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dukey44 added 21:49 - May 18 Sorry but it would be interesting as he knows players? So why couldn't he start here? Sorry but I don't think it would be bad idea just someone with experience as he's second in command
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ivandeighton added 21:54 - May 18 Ross or Hurst only way forward
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cactusjack added 21:55 - May 18 Ffs shut up you shallow inconsiderate morons it aint your club let the interviews happen and we get who we get no matter who it is as long as its not someone weve already had if it dont work im sure they wont stay long because they will be abused; let it happen how me wants it to happen.
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algarvefan added 21:57 - May 18 He was always one of the more intelligent footballers, will attract other good players, he was a terrific role model as a player and although inexperienced maybe someone working alongside him with experience may be a good thing. I'm not against this and would support him moving on. He's not Roy Keane but I can understand the comparison.
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TonyHumesIpswich added 21:59 - May 18 I see no issues with this appointment. It would be interesting to see who comes in as Assistant (given John Terry is looking exactly for this role).
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:00 - May 18 And the sooner someone is appointed, the better.
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cressi added 22:00 - May 18 A reserve or under 23 from Chelsea or st mirren ?
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:04 - May 18 @cressi Need to view it from players perspective as well. Ross; good reputation but relatively unknown. Lampard: Former England Captain and would be a hero to many of the players at the club. If we ONLY look at it from players perspective, it's Lampard.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 22:05 - May 18 Lampard is more intelligent than Keane. I think this would be a great appointment from all angles.
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boltzak added 22:06 - May 18 I'm sure M.E is a good enough business man to separate business from pleasure. Frank Lampard has a good pedigree. Ross and Hurst have to want to leave good jobs to come to town.
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jas0999 added 22:07 - May 18 Unless we appoint Ross or Hurst I'll be disappointed but not surprised. If Evans wants Ross, just get the deal done. Waiting for Hurst could meaning missing out on both because who knows whether Hurst would leave if Shrewsbury win promotion. By then, Ross will have been snapped up. Lampard wouldn't be disasterous, yet no experience a real problem for me.
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oH_bluey added 22:10 - May 18 Get him in just for the Chelsea loans to get us up! They loan out 34 a season!!
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BillyBaxterwasbest added 22:11 - May 18 Don't be so impatient! Let Me make his choice, to do that he needs to see all the applicants.PATIENCE
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pazzy added 22:16 - May 18 hell everybody moaning about manager and evans again give the man a chance stop jumping on the bandwagon we know nothing yet whoever he appoints GET BEHIND HIM OR HER AND THE CLUB
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fergalsharkey added 22:34 - May 18 Please no. I for one will not be coming if he is in charge.
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:35 - May 18 I think the key thing here is getting the new man installed ASAP. We tend to wheel and deal in the free transfer market and I have noticed some other clubs making significant signings already, even this early in the transfer window. It seems clubs are now willing to pay wages over the summer for the right player. It's important too that Klug keeps his job. I don't want to see him lose it regardless of appointment. He's always been there and demonstrated great loyalty to the club. And I'd rather have Lampard, Ross or Hurst than Farke so it's a win-win. Lampard's links across English football could be a massive asset though, could see some Chelsea youngsters on-loan here. Ross; a gem signing from Scottish football. Hurst; would install a do or die attitude across the squad. Each has their advantages. And each is better than Farke.

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ipswich134 added 22:37 - May 18 Lampard will be a big risk as he is not experienced. It's better to have Ross who has experience Ndaba doesn't attract the wrong media attention.
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Wickwar_Blue added 22:42 - May 18 “Frank Lampard's Ipswich” No. No. No. Want a Manager with some desire to manage my Club not someone seeing it as a stepping stone.
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