St Mirren’s Jack Ross and Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst remain the leading contenders to take charge at Portman Road with former England skipper Frank Lampard no longer in the running, TWTD understands.

As we revealed at the end of last week, Lampard met with Marcus Evans on Friday for a second time and impressed the Blues owner with what he had to say, however, it emerged that the two parties were some distance apart when prospective personal terms were discussed.

Ross was also interviewed for a second time by Evans last week and continues to be the bookies’ favourite, now at evens with Bet Victor.

We understand that reports claiming Sunderland are showing strong interest in the 41-year-old are speculative as things stand, while St Mirren still hope to keep hold of the man who took them to the Scottish Championship title by 12 points.

The Buddies are believed to have offered Ross, who is currently contracted until the summer of 2020, an improved deal in order to tempt him to stay in Paisley, however, they wouldn’t be able to match the terms on offer at Portman Road.

It’s believed that the former defender, who is now away on holiday, will take the Town job if it is offered to him.

Hurst, 43, has been high up Evans’s list of potential new managers since it was decided former boss Mick McCarthy would be moving on back in late March.

Formal talks with the one-time Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby manager are expected to follow Sunday’s League One play-off final, in which the Shrews take on Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel’s loan club Rotherham at Wembley, whether the Shropshire club win promotion to the Championship or otherwise. It's understood the Blues have been given a strong indication Hurst would be interested in the position.

Hurst is currently the third-favourite to take over at Town at 8-1 with Lampard ahead of him at 2-1.

Behind those three, Scott Parker and Tim Sherwood, who have both been interviewed, are at 20-1 along with Simon Grayson, while George Burley, Östersunds boss Graham Potter, John McGreal, Mark Warburton, Paul Cook, Shefki Kuqi and Tony Mowbray are all at 25-1.

In April Evans said he expected to name the Blues' new manager in late May or early June and that remains his timescale with an announcement next week appearing increasingly likely.

Photos: Action Images/Allan Picken

Talbs77 added 20:20 - May 22 Swn it's called due diligence and a interview process. Let's see how careful what we wish for when we aren't watching the absolute derge we did last season. We deserve better than that. Listened to the worst “debate “ ever on talksport with Darren Gough reckoning the Sunderland job was better than Town! Whatever. Personally I think the whole process and timescale is the right thing and both Ross and Hurst are the sort of refreshing young ambitious hungry managers we need. I was going to renew my season ticket whatever but feel more positive about next season than I have in years. Come on guys let's not squabble and stay positive.

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ChrisFelix added 20:35 - May 22 Doesn't anyone think that we are going to wait until after the league 1 play off final before approaching Hurst. Surely the club are awaiting for something or someone. Otherwise an announcement would already have been made
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masetheace added 20:44 - May 22 Can we PLEASE end this constant rubbish debate until there is something positive to report
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Talbs77 added 20:45 - May 22 Chrishants I think that's exactly what he's doing no way can we formally approach him when they have a playoff final Sunday.
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Talbs77 added 20:47 - May 22 I like this debate don't get to have it that often and better than 2 years of MM which was so depressing
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DallianAttkinson added 21:30 - May 22 I would be really happy with Ross as our next manager, based on the way he carries himself, he seems very honest and very articulate and unlike the pevious regime, has respect for potential previous employer and more impotantly the club and suporters as a whole. I find this refreshing and a nod to the old ways we seem to have lost in the Championship in England ala Gary Rowet was comitted to the Rams up until they didn't go up wow. Just wow!

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armchaircritic59 added 21:44 - May 22 Not sure why some people think there's a "saga" going on. ME stated in his interview that a new manager would be in place either late May or early June, and that's beginning to look exactly what will happen. It's the bookies, press and i have to say a few posters on here who are getting into a frenzy. Chill out guys, all will be revealed very soon. For my money (if i was in ME's shoes), it would be Gary White, but it's looking more like Jack Ross or Paul Hurst. We shall see!

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bluesman added 22:21 - May 22 Thanks God!! And hilarious that the problem was money
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carsey added 22:29 - May 22 As much as I wasn't keen on Lampard because of the media circus that would inevitably follow him and the likelihood his uncle would get involved I'm very interested in what is meant by it emerged the parties were some distance apart...... It has the ring of tabloid journalism about it, something I wouldn't associate with TWTD so my question is where did the info come from?

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DaGremloid added 23:01 - May 22 Why, why, why are you all obsessed with Ross and Hurst? What have they achieved? Ross has won a few games in a Mickey Mouse league. Wow. Hurst has hasn't even won promotion with Shrewsbury yet. Shrewsbury ffs. Has it really come to this - everyone bleating on about two managers achieving moderate success in lower leagues? Get a grip, people. For me, Tony Mowbray would be a better fit. He's had proper success and knows the club inside out.

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Talbs77 added 23:10 - May 22 Tony Mowbray success what like boro and Coventry? He's committed to Blackburn and ruled out weeks ago. Can't make someone come and not the right fit in my view. Good player and fantastic captain, but that was a long time ago let's move on.
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beornioblue added 06:45 - May 23 Maybe all of this shouldn't have been so widely and early reported, maybe we have given Sunderland ideas on Ross, maybe we will get neither, maybe maybe maybe!!! Just want it done so we can get behind the new gaffer and he can start assessing the team!! COYB
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Swn98 added 07:44 - May 23 Agree Toxteth nearly as boring as penguin blues Mccarthy out for the previous 2 seasons. Warktheline you know absolutely zilch about me if you think any thing I write resembles me in true life you are seriously deluded.
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shortmarine1969 added 08:54 - May 23 I agree with a few other posters on here , Are we not becoming slightly myopic with Hurst and Ross , It is quire widelyt reported that we had over 100 applications for the job , so depsite what some people think it is a job that managers want to some degree at least , but i certainly feel that ME will be thankfully casting his view wider than the above 2 , White and Potter being examples that a few seemed to like but are now forgotten as they are names not being driven by the media which the above 2 are along with Lampard (all 3 have pro,s and con,s for me) ME very clearly stated when he expected to appoint at at present is on track , with the managerial status quo changing all the time over this period bringing other potential names into play - Carvahal for example !! not saying i do or dont want him but certainly a manager worth consideration , people jusy need to cool their jets a bit , I was firmly in the MM out camp "but" at the time of his appointment he was what the club needed which i don,t think there can be much depute about , so give ME the chance to appoint another correct manager in the point of time as he did (imo) last time.

5

brittaniaman added 09:00 - May 23 Frank might have been comparing what he was earning as a player ??? He probably earned more money in a month than Evans would pay him for a Year in management, only my estimation Guys.
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Arnie added 09:35 - May 23 What ever happened to Warburton and has he been interviewed?
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itfcserbia added 09:58 - May 23 I for one am quite impressed with what Potter did in Sweden. He had an interview with Swansea btw.
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flimflam added 10:18 - May 23 I have wanted Hurst right from the start even to the point when I mentioned his name people asked who was he. Would not be disappointed with Ross though, far from it actually, and think either would be a fantastic fit for us. Both are the sort of managers who would flourish here given time to build their own brand of football and nurture the youngsters through.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 11:01 - May 23 Considering Mick was on around a million a year if its around that amount offered to multi millionaire Lampard and hes turned it down then good riddance. Id much rather have someone here who wants to prove and better themselves like Ross or Hurst. Swn98 there were thousands of fans not wanting your messiah at the club any longer so how about stop pinpointing one or two posters on here who have a difference of opinion to you. Mick was the right person at the time but after signing over 80 players in five years with a lot of signing on fees involved the past 3 years were terrible at best. Most fans and owners would have parted company a couple of years ago especially after the Lincoln debacle where the whole country and pundits alike saw the shambles and couldnt even work out what style of football we play and they were professional footballers saying that so much more qualified than you or I. Move on from the "Be careful what you wish for" so in your professional opinion lets stay stagnant for ongoing years to come losing to teams struggling at home to Rotherham, Burtons and Lincolns of this world? Thanks but no thanks!

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thechangingman added 11:16 - May 23 If it really has come down to Ross and Hurst, I call that a win/win situation for Town! At last we're looking at the right kind of manager, after a decade of stagnancy. Onwards and upwards for next season as far as I am concerned. This is the most positive I've felt in a long, long time.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 11:51 - May 23 Looks like Potter will go to Swansea. Derby now looking for a manager is a worry but I understand they have to cut back quite hard next season
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REIDIE4 added 12:20 - May 23 Looks like Jack Ross going to Sunderland, I fear we've put all our money on Hurst coming, who knows who we'll get if Shrewsbury win the play-offs.
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branchini1979 added 12:28 - May 23 JUST SEEN SUNDERLAND HAVE APPOINTED MANAGER - NAME TO Follow!!! Interestingly just check sky bet and Jack Ross has gone from 4/9 to 4/1 just like that!! Are we throwing all our eggs onto the Paul Hurst basket???
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barrystedmunds added 12:33 - May 23 Looks like he's off to Wearside!
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truckerblue added 12:35 - May 23 Looks like Ross is off to Sunderland. Watch Derby come in and take Hurst and we get left with the village idiot.
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