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

Pip50 added 08:11 - May 19 Give the main man some credit. Personally think this could be good despite the gamble. Unless I'm mistaken we're not the only ones looking for an up and coming manager. If I were Ross or Hurst I would have my CV out to bigger clubs than ours.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 08:14 - May 19 Ross isn't going anywhere else soon. He's not on the radar for any other clubs at the moment just 25/1 for Barnsley http://www.thesackrace.com/managers/jack-ross . If ME doesn't chose him then Hurst and Lamps are excellent candidates too. If that's the worst case scenario then I'm still happy. As for the "stepping stone" comments, there are very few managers who won't see Ipswich as a stepping stone. All 3 of the above will (I shouldn't think Ross was a closet town fan when he was growing up) but either way if someone gets poached to a bigger club that means they have done well, which is a win-win situation. The only way to avoid the "stepping stone" issue, if it is an issue, is to appoint one of the old hands (Reddnapp, Warnock et al) or to appoint a town fan/ former player (Burley, Magilton, Butch, Mowbray) none of which seem to be holding much appeal for people right now.

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toxtethblue added 08:15 - May 19 Short memories. Some people don't learn... Has to be Ross or Hurst
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Chondzoresk added 08:19 - May 19 Seems to be fashionable presently. All young decent ex footballers then want to turn into the next great manager. Eg Gerard. Unfortunately these type of managers rarely become any good. Apart from Pep. PR will become a media circus should he get it. Plus he's a Beeb pundit for a month on TV in Russia. A month out of preparing for us is a huge no no. Let's get Jack Ross in now. He has shown decency to all parties, ticks all the boxes, plays great football. Yes he's a young ex footballer, but has some managerial experience.

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pazzy added 08:22 - May 19 nothing against ross but Scottish football is poor bury town would compete in their league and we all know the class lampard has been competing in hard choise for Marcus lets hope he gets it right
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HopeandGlory added 08:24 - May 19 I agree with all the positive comments about Frank Lampard. I think he has the makings of an exceptional manager and I am in no doubt that he would be his own man. Get Bryan Klug as the assistant manager (if he will accept it) and that has the makings of a good combo and maintain the Ipswich connection.
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pragmatic added 08:29 - May 19 Interviews process of elimination, Evans has every right to speak to whoever he wants,
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brittaniaman added 08:30 - May 19 Just if Lampard was appointed we would not see him for a while as he is off with the BBC to the world cup ???
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TB42 added 08:43 - May 19 Whilst my preference is still for Jack ROSS and then Paul HURST as a fall back, I think Frank LAMPARD could be a good fallback, as has been noted by previous contibutors, iconic, intelligent and a great attacking player of immense professional experience. As for management - you have to start somewhere and with guidance, I think he could do well. Perhaps I am being a little bit cynical, but is there a plan to possibly appoint him and then have Uncle Harry as Director of Football ?!?!?!?!?

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thechangingman added 08:53 - May 19 Not the worst option, to be honest and part of me warms to his intelligence and insight as a pundit. It'd wouldn't, in my opinion, be a disaster - but neither would it be the best and wisest choice, especially after all we've had to endure over the past decade. Instead, I strongly believe that we need someone 'on the up' - hungry and ambitious with something to prove. Someone who'd see Town as a Big Deal, not as a hobby, or a stepping-stone to something else in the future. Overall, I'd tolerate Lampard, like to see Hurst given a go or, my personal first choice of Ross, who ticks all the boxes I believe Ipswich need to tick in order to kick-start our identity instead of being the play-thing for celebrities and the wealthy. Thanks for letting me get all that off my chest. COYB!!!

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Monkey_Blue added 09:10 - May 19 Of all the people screaming no.... how many of you have seen him coach or know he isn't going to end up a top manager? I'd prefer someone with a track record but rather Lampard than the usual suspects
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shedboy added 09:13 - May 19 I don't understand the negativity on here surrounding Frank Lampard. What he has achieved in his football career so far has been outstanding. Lampard I'm sure would want to play entertaining football our young players could not help but be inspired by a guy of his stature being on the training ground day in day out. Yes have an opinion but to slate him purely on his name or connections to Harry is crazy. I can't stand this type negative support of our club. I think it's great Evans is taking his time to choose the best candidate. I would wait till after the playoffs to speak to Hurst also if he fails to gain promotion.

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martin587 added 09:18 - May 19 Frank Lampard deserves the chance of an interview.He may not be a proven manager as yet but everybody has to start somewhere and he certainty has certain credentials,if not experience. So far Jack Ross has come across very well from what I have read. Paul Hurst has also been mentioned and may well get the opportunity of an interview,but if Shrewsbury get promoted would he want to leave and come here should he ever be offered the job. Exciting times ahead for both club and supporters,so let's just be patient and hope Mr.Evans will make the correct decision.🤞

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Surco72 added 09:30 - May 19 someone who has played at top level , winning mentality , has played under the best managers in the world , young with new ideas, could attract players on name alone , would raise profile of club immensely ..all good for me . Oh wait he hasn't managed at a lot lower standard so he can't be any good ?
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Mariner1974 added 09:42 - May 19 Come on. Evans is a Chelsea fan. What do you expect? If he's got chance to be in a room with Frank Lampard and have a football conversation with him he'll take it. If i was casting a film I'd probably call Mark Hamill in for an interview because I grew up loving Star Wars. Doesn't mean I'm gonna give him the lead role in my film. ME's allegiances to Chelsea prevent him from overlooking the potential of having a Chelsea legend on his payroll, but he also willl have the Keane failure at the back of his mind. One thing positive of Frank Lampard being in the frame, is do you think ME would be able to avoid opening his treasure chest for him? He wouldn't be able to say no to Lampard if he wanted to bring in players. Ross and co he'll expect them to operate on a MM budget, which will be no bad thing if it means our youth players getting a shot, but if we want Evans to loosen his purse strings, then Lampard wuld surely be a good persuader.

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terryf added 10:00 - May 19 Too much over reaction by some on here. Marcus is doing what any diligent employer would do. Cast the net wide and see what comes up If the likes of Ross or Hurst are seriously interested in our Team they surely will not mind waiting for a couple of weeks. If not good luck to them elsewhere.
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runningout added 10:02 - May 19 the waiting for Hurst is disturbing when he should stay at Shrewsbury.. Ross is an obvious choice in my view
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grubbyoik added 10:49 - May 19 No Experience.... Just a name. Get Ross in before he goes somewhere else..
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runningout added 10:49 - May 19 although seem to remember Lampard having a decent game in England shirt at PR
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coolcat added 10:50 - May 19 Personally like Lampard. He is a clever, articulate guy with great connections and has been doing his coaching badges. However, the age of the manager is irrelevant as long is its the right person for the job. It's worth remembering, although a long time ago Sir Alf Ramsey joined Ipswich at 35 as his first club as Manager & had even less experience.
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miltonmowbray added 10:50 - May 19 Clearly an intelligent guy, fantastic football brain, and more importantly someone who wrung every drop of talent out of himself. A gamble sure, but I'd be up for it.
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Ippy89 added 11:10 - May 19 I really would like to give an ex town player a chance first. Encouraging that someone like Lampard is interested though. Could be one for us in the future.
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TimmyH added 11:16 - May 19 Really can't see it happening Lampard getting the job although he's having an interview, the favourites are between Ross and Hurst make no mistake...
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Monkey_Blue added 11:27 - May 19 If lampard got the job it would be a risk but if he got it he must have impressed with his ideas, plans, knowledge etc. I'd be 100% behind him until or unless he proved to be the wrong man for the job. He has no management experience but also no record of failure
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multiplescoregasms added 11:40 - May 19 What's all the panic for? The job is bound to get a lot of interest from ex players like Lampard who could see this as the first step into a managerial career. Doesn't mean he is going to get it, but it doesn't mean he would be a bad choice. Ross seems to be the guy most of us want, but what if we are not what he wants? Let's just see what develops over the next few weeks and then get behind whoever we get.........as long as its not mick again.

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