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

stiffy501 added 18:13 - May 21 Whats happened to the dutchman ?
2

Jewell_in_the_Town added 18:59 - May 21 Don't want to belittle Ross' credentials, but I reckon that Needham Market would give most Scottish Championship teams a tough game.
2

Seasider added 19:09 - May 21 Bound to happen,which Marcus should have factored in if delaying choice,presumably waiting for Hurst to interview. Previously,like most,ok with Hurst or Ross;but now Lampard has apparently been mentioned,I feel we should go for him. Intelligent,expresses himself well and has the right temperament.Realise has little experience of doing the actual job and has not completed his badges;but think about the contacts he has,not just Uncle 'Arry'

1

TB42 added 19:20 - May 21 Surprised at some of the views expressed on here related to the situation we potentially now find ourselves in. Whilst I readily understand the mechanics of multiple interviews, especially for important jobs, this vacancy has clearly been envisaged by Marcus EVANS for some time. In a competitive business environment, you need to move fast to ensure you get what you want. We have certainly seen this in previous seasons with players we have shown an interest in only to find them going elsewhere. It is interesting to read, following the new management takeover at Sunderland, that it is reported that they "expect to appoint a manager in the next 7 days" and in the case of Stoke City, that they too are looking to appoint somebody "very soon" following the release of Paul LAMBERT. QPR have already appointed McLAREN after the departure of HOLLOWAY. If we are interested in HURST - surely, we should have been up front and pro-active, otherwise we may end up with a fourth or fifth choice manager. Whilst thoroughness is to be applauded, equally, there is an optimum point and a balance has to be struck and perhaps a timely reminder in respect of an age old adage, that "he who hesitates is lost ........"

3

Swn98 added 20:33 - May 21 Dissboy just trying to keep everyone's feet on the ground that's all. By the way i was here for the SBR hey days so don't make yourself out as the superfan
-4

warktheline added 21:49 - May 21 Let's all hope SWN doesn't get the job! No doubt he'd reemploy Marvellous Mick McCarthy as his number 2!
3

TonyHumesIpswich added 22:42 - May 21 lets just surprise everyone and appoint MIck Mills.
2

Dissboyitfc added 00:14 - May 22 swn..your negativity is not a form of keeping everybody's feet on the ground! MM has gone and the future is bright! I bet you are itching to say it again arent you! well i wished for him gone and hes gone, result! I am really excited as most fans will be!
3

buresmac added 07:20 - May 22 Interestingly national press saying "Sunderland's new owner Stewart Donald says the club could reappoint Chris Coleman as manager, just three weeks after sacking him", so fingers crossed thats Coleman & McLaren off the list..
2

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls