St Mirren boss and Town target Jack Ross has reportedly held talks with recently-relegated Sunderland’s new owners about the vacancy at the Stadium of Light.

An international consortium led by former Eastleigh owner Stewart Donald is set to complete their takeover today and, according to the Daily Record, have already held initial talks with Ross.

Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain previously held the same position at Rangers and is said to be well aware of the job the 41-year-old has done at St Mirren, having taken them from the bottom of the Scottish Championship to the title in 18 months.

Ross has twice met with Blues owner Marcus Evans and the former Clyde, Hartlepool and Falkirk defender remains the bookies’ favourite to take over at Portman Road at 3-1 odds-on with Bet Victor.

Sunderland, who dropped into League One at the end of 2017/18, their second successive relegation, are also said to be keen on Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst, who is the second-favourite for the Blues job at 4-1.

Hurst has always been well up Evans’s list of potential new bosses and he is keen to speak to the former Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby manager about the vacancy but Town are yet to make a formal approach to the Shrews, who play in next Sunday’s League One play-off final.

On Friday, TWTD revealed that former England skipper Frank Lampard had been interviewed for the Town job and the 39-year-old is the third-favourite to take over at Portman Road at 7-1.

Tim Sherwood and Scott Parker, who have also both been interviewed, are at 20-1 along with Simon Grayson.

Shefki Kuqi, who wasn’t offered an interview despite applying, Östersunds boss Graham Potter, George Burley, Paul Cook, John McGreal, Mark Warburton and Tony Mowbray are all at 25-1.

Evans has conducted an exhaustive recruitment process since it was confirmed former boss Mick McCarthy would be departing this summer. The Blues owner has said he expects to make the appointment in late May or early June.

Ex-Wearsiders midfielder Alex Rae, who coincidentally was St Mirren boss before Ross, is currently the favourite for the Sunderland job with Ross behind him at 5-1, Leicester assistant Michael Appleton at 6-1, Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder at 8-1 along with Cook.

"Ex-Town manager McCarthy, who it was reported over the weekend is keen to take over at Stoke City, is at 12-1 to return to his old role at Sunderland.

Photo: Allan Picken

HARRY10 added 12:25 - May 21 MM leaving would have been known by Evans long before he left. If everything was hunky dory then a decent manager would have been appointed quickly. This smacks of Evans trying to do it on the cheap and so managers are checking what other positions there are, and what might soon be available.
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Yeti added 12:34 - May 21 There are too many glass half full depressives around at the moment, How about a more mature view, Mr Evans stated late May/early June appointment, we should calm down and wait and see what happens in the next 10 days. If the press/social media are to be believed Ross would appear to be a fly by night, touting himself at every punter going. Hurst is too quiet, same can be said of Alf Ramsey. Lampard seems ok and has a wealth of football experience at most levels and there are others out there waiting. These are personal views and not necessarily those of most cheese experts on this site.

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Europablue added 12:38 - May 21 Totally agree with guentchev. Most people aren't really considering the whole of the situtation. First we don't know who has been offered what, and we don't know how keen Ross is on us and how keen we are on him. If I were ME (without the knowledge he has about the situation) I would have offered the job to Ross by now. We don't know if he did, we don't know what the situation with Hurst is. All we can say is that we are certainly considering Ross very carefully. He may want to come to us, and is using interest from other parties to boost his chances with getting the Ipswich job. It's all speculation right now, and I'm nervous about it, but we have to just let ME get on with it. Still it's fine to speculate.

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horsehollerer added 12:38 - May 21 Never thought I'd say this but I'm glad ME is the one doing the recruiting and not us lot on here! Town have a lot to offer any aspiring manager and he knows it. We are now a stable club, with a patient/non-interfering owner, and some great talent coming through the ranks. Hold your nerve Marcus. We will get our man, be it Hurst, Ross or Lampard. (But please one of those 3!)

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Marshalls_Mullet added 12:39 - May 21 Blueblood90: Dont you think that its Hurst that has set the timings?!?!?!
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Tony88 added 12:48 - May 21 You never know Ross could have been offered the job but he may want to look at all the options open to him before making a decision.
2

blueblood_soldier added 12:51 - May 21 Personally doesn't bother me.. would much rather hurst.. during his career(Ross), ripped up a contract at Hartlepool because he was home sick and that's in a he north east... what we he be like in sleepy Suffolk....think he lacks experience as well.. I'd like to think that Marcus has spoken to the relevant people around hurst and knows what outcomes are possible.. hurst has experience in the English leagues, some league 1 players on his radar as potential signings etc etc...hurst still number one for me so if getting the Sunderland job bumps hurst back up I'm happy with that...

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blueblood_soldier added 12:51 - May 21 Personally doesn't bother me.. would much rather hurst.. during his career(Ross), ripped up a contract at Hartlepool because he was home sick and that's in a he north east... what we he be like in sleepy Suffolk....think he lacks experience as well.. I'd like to think that Marcus has spoken to the relevant people around hurst and knows what outcomes are possible.. hurst has experience in the English leagues, some league 1 players on his radar as potential signings etc etc...hurst still number one for me so if getting the Sunderland job bumps hurst back up I'm happy with that...

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Blue_Meanie added 12:56 - May 21 Lampard is signed up to the BBC for the World Cup; he'll be in Russia from June onwards. Not the best preparation for a first time manager. Think he's out of the running.
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wilnisfan added 13:05 - May 21 Both options give Ross the time and momentum to build a promotion to the premier league. Just depends on Ross what his motivations and requirements are. He seems ambitious enough, and if success is the main factor then he could see Town have a history of recently selling their most valuable assets and Sunderland have new owners and it's impossible to know how stable it will be

2

wilnisfan added 13:05 - May 21 It could even come down to how good the youth production is. klug could have a significant role to play here.
1

WoodfordTim added 13:21 - May 21 If we are competing against Sunderland then let's be honest, we will be second choice for any potential new manager. However, it is essential that Marcus appoints the right manager for ITFC, no matter how long it takes. He is doing a very thorough job in selecting the right man and not panicking.
1

thechangingman added 13:22 - May 21 I have no inside-access to the machinations of Marcus Evan's mind or, indeed, of the Ipswich Town boardroom. Any comment I might make, therefore, would be wild speculation and hearsay - at best. Therefore, I'll limit myself to my emotions - which I do know about. Personally, I'd be very sad if Ross chose Sunderland over us, but since I am not a friend of his I don't know what he currently favours vocation-wise. When making judgements without any recourse to facts, insight or understanding it rather limits the scope of one's insights doesn't it?

3

Dissboyitfc added 13:29 - May 21 Swn98....when Sir Bobby Joined there where candidates ahead of him who turned it down. I am glad ME is taking his time, he hasnt gone past his deadline of early June. Cant understant people panicking, could even be someone not even mentioned! Now lets stop the pathetic quote, “ be careful what you wish for” shall we! Personally i cant wait and i will get behind the new Appointment, ME got it right with MM at the time, but kept him on to long,by 2 boring years to be precise. Exciting times are on the way to portman road.

9

martin587 added 13:29 - May 21 Mr.Evans so far has kept to his word.He stated end may early June so let's just be patient.At least he hasn't just jumped in and signed one of the out of work old brigade has he.! I'm sure he wants to get it right this time as it's his own money he's loosing if he don't. As somebody said Ross left an English club because he was homesick so coming here just might be a step too far.I personally think Mr.Evans knows his man and will get him.So let's just wait and see.

3

cranky_old_tractor added 13:35 - May 21 Cannot believe that I feel slightly sorry for MM if this is the management style we now see exposed in front of us. Water under the bridge etc. etc. Pleased we are looking for a new manager but the plate will soon be left with little choice if we do not "go-for-it" and make a decision. Would not have faffed around with Shrewsbury and would have made an approach straight away. And dilly-dallying could loose Ross particularly given the message this projects let alone having the choice of Sunderland. Just get the cheque book out - make the decision this PM and offer a good war chest to buy the right type off players that one of these young managers want. And please, wish Lampard well but no thanks to him.

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Skip73 added 13:50 - May 21 I can't believe there are still some t@ats on here who think we should get Burley back. Talk about living in the past.
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BlueBlood90 added 15:48 - May 21 @Marshalls_Mullet Well what we're being told on this site is that we haven't even approached Shrewsbury, as they're still in the playoffs. Therefore, how can it be Paul Hurst setting the timing if he hasn't yet been approached?
2

clint_eastwood added 15:57 - May 21 Had enough of this crap. Another person commenting "Be careful what you wish for", I'm going to shove a budgie up his arse!
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runningout added 16:02 - May 21 looks like we're naive on and off the pitch. I could run our club better, and I'm useless
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blueheartXT added 16:30 - May 21 What is wrong with you Marcus has clearly said that he probably won't appoint a new manager until the end of May but hopes to have someone in place in early June. I think it's important that he speaks to everyone on the Clubs list before he makes a decision and all candidates will be also made aware of this WhT I do hope is that he's had contact with the current managers involved with the play offs to see if they are interested if they gain promotion or not

2

Keanos_Barmy added 17:01 - May 21 It's unfortunate that the media have bigged up Ross as they have. There are plenty of other capable candidates, some of whom have hardly got a mention. Personally I'd go for Paul Tisdale, he has a mightily impressive cv from over a long period of time.
2

thacks added 17:04 - May 21 An awful lot of comments on here saying hurry up Marcus or pull your finger out Marcus, a few basic facts that I would of thought anyone who has had more then one job in there lives would know. 1. No one is going to give the job to the first person they interview, you need 3-4 options to compare. 2. its not a case of yes you have the job see you in the morning, there are compensation packages to put together as at least 2 managers interviewed are currently employed. 3. Contract T's & Q's need sorting before contract would be signed and any announcement made. 4. You need permission from a mangers club if he is employed and in Hursts case Shrewsbury would certainly not give that until the play offs are complete. like everyone else I want it sorted soon as possible but in the real world these things take time. You only have to look at the Jose Mourinho situation when he went to Man Utd it was talked about for 2-3 months before anything was officially announced. Have A Little patience.

4

SheptonMalletBlue added 17:33 - May 21 Let's get Baza Brazil, former Town player, what could go wrong? !!!🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
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armchaircritic59 added 17:59 - May 21 Indeed, Marcus did say "late May, early June, for an appointment. We have just about entered that period, so any time over the next two weeks or so, is right. I would have expected that if any applicant had impressed him so much, he would have already done a deal, despite the above. In addition, names have been mentioned, but i'll bet there's still one or two in the running that the bookies and press havn't got wind of (yet!) . I think it's a case of keep being patient everyone, all will soon be revealed! If it was my money (i wish!) it would be Gary White. Impressive CV with a number of International minnows. Could he cut it in the Championship? There'd be only one way to find out!

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