St Mirren have confirmed they have granted Sunderland permission to speak to their manager Jack Ross. The Black Cats say they are hopeful of making an announcement on Thursday.

The Scottish Championship title winners said in a statement on their website: “St Mirren Football Club can confirm we received an approach from Sunderland AFC this afternoon for permission to speak to our manager Jack Ross.

“After agreeing to our terms we have reluctantly given them permission to speak to Jack about their vacant manager’s position.”

Earlier, during a chaotic afternoon, Ross was widely reported to be the man new Sunderland owner Stewart Donald was talking about when he said he was close to naming a new boss at the Stadium of Light.

"We've agreed terms and literally the contracts are with the lawyers," Donald said.

"The man in question is absolutely thrilled, which is what we want, and I'm absolutely delighted that he's coming, so that's exciting for us. I'm hoping that by the end of the day, we can reveal that."

The Black Cats, who were recently relegated to League One, were said to have agreed a two-year deal with Ross, who would be earning five times his current salary, with the contract having an option for a further season, while St Mirren were due to receive £50,000 in compensation.

However, Buddies chairman Gordon Scott subsequently dismissed claims that his club's 41-year-old manager was in talks with the Black Cats, saying no approach had been made to the Scottish Championship winners.

"There has been no contact from Sunderland with us and Jack is on holiday. So unless there is some major skulduggery going on then it's nonsense,” he insisted.

We understand St Mirren have granted Jack Ross permission to speak to Sunderland.

Talks are ongoing - with Ipswich remaining an option, as does staying in Paisley. pic.twitter.com/iRGbjZiuH4– Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) May 23, 2018

Scottish radio station Clyde 1 then revealed that permission had belatedly been granted to the Wearsiders to speak to Ross but with a move to Town “remaining an option” along with staying with St Mirren.

However, Black Cats owner Donald has added to his earlier comments: "I said in the press conference we would hopefully have our man by the weekend.

"The update is we have agreed terms and as I said it is with the legals now. By close of play tomorrow I would hope to make an announcement. All on course."

Ross has twice spoken with Blues owner Marcus Evans and was understood to be one of two remaining candidates to succeed Mick McCarthy along with Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst.

The 43-year-old, whose Shrews side face Rotherham in the League One play-off final on Sunday, is now the 6-4 odds-on favourite for the Blues job with Bet Victor with Ross now behind him at 8-1 along with former Wales and Sunderland boss Chris Coleman.

Frank Lampard is at 11-1 and Scott Parker and Tim Sherwood at 12-1, all three having been interviewed by the Blues.

Evans said last month that he hoped to make his appointment at the end of May or in early June.

Photos: Allan Picken/Action Images

Essexipswichboy added 10:55 - May 24 I think you will find there is a completely different name to all the previous mentioned being lined up Maybe wenger😀 Jokes aside I'm sure anytime now out of the blue... Just like when Keane was appointed
1

loudnproud added 11:12 - May 24 Some would believe that Marcus is not pulling his finger out.....I believe that ITFC are no longer the great opportunity we once were,,,,
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Southamptonblue added 11:21 - May 24 @loudnproud - unfortunately the two are not mutually exclusive
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bobble added 11:22 - May 24 plenty of fish in the sea...burley/butcher should be rated higher..
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osborne1nil added 11:22 - May 24 For all anybody knows, Ross has been ruled out. Had his reported second interview and this maybe as far as it was to go or he was made fully aware that there are a few more candidates to see before a final decision is made. All press speculation so far and as some have said could be a surprise name. Hurst seems most likely and would be surprised if Town have not spoken to his rep to say would he be interested in having a talk once the playoffs are resolved? How knows, possibly only Marcus and his closest colleges. We shall see but he said end of May to early June and that was made clear at the start.

2

PortmanTerrorist added 11:30 - May 24 After much deliberation the manager is.......Gary White. Well probably not but have been thinking we have a number of young coaches coming through the ranks and we should really have someone who can help take them to the next level as well as the players. GW would fit the bill with a wealth of experience managing in different places and with his ability to work with limited budgets he fits MEs criteria too. Amazed he not being mentioned more. With the coaches in mind, maybe we should rethink Burley or someone like Hoddle who both classify as top coaches as well as capable managers, unlike the Pardew's of this world.

0

tractorboybig added 11:48 - May 24 Take it from Ross point of view, Head hunted didn't apply for job. two interviews, no offer of employment. Along comes a bigger club and offers a generous contract. So if he was thinking of leaving st mirren he would be stupid not to take the offer. So if hurst is m.e main man why have we bothered with the circus that has gone on?
1

Essexnblue added 11:58 - May 24 This nonsense is typical of our fickle support. Ross has a better offer, so what, St Mirren didn't no or claim they didn't no about the original Sunderland approach. What does that tell you about Ross and his values? We worry about Hurst but Tisdale is another option who is in the play off final, is he on Evans radar? Will or has Di Matteo come back for a second interview as I no he has been shown around the training ground. All in the mixer and all to play for.

5

Paddy39 added 12:37 - May 24 Let's throw Gary White into the equation. He has all the Pro Badges and is well known at St Georges with the England staff. He hasn't failed wherever he has been, imo a great fit for us. Let's get someone new in it has to be GARY WHITE.
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 13:11 - May 24 My concern with Gary white is that im fairly sure even I could get Chinease Taipae into better shape. When you start at the bottom there is only one way to go. He came over well in the interview he gave the EDP but......
3

runningout added 15:33 - May 24 Sounds like Ross didn't Wow anyone at our illustrious club. Or did he
1

itfcmatty added 17:37 - May 24 Get your money on Coleman, I work at Milsoms he has been in for lunch with Kieron Dyer. I think he has been at the club before he came for lunch.
0

Ipswichbusiness added 18:14 - May 24 We should have more confidence in ME. He is a successful businessman with substantial experience of appointing people to senior positions. He will have learnt from his early mistakes in football.
1

Cheshire_Blue added 19:07 - May 24 Neither Hurst nor Ross is fit to lick McCarthy's boots. Time will tell
-4

dirtydingusmagee added 20:37 - May 24 Cheshire Blue ,you should know being a McCarthy boot licker, but he is history now move on ,if you believe McCarthy is irreplaceable then you really are dellusioned..There has several people named that wouldn't do any any worse,.
2

TB42 added 21:35 - May 24 Sunderland may be known as the Black Cats - it would appear they are increasingly more like the Copy Cats. See the attached link from the Sunderland Echo - it would appear that they are not only interested in ROSS, they have also named HURST as a potential candidate too!! https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/recap-sunderland-af
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DallianAttkinson added 21:40 - May 24 Thought Sunderland were to release the appointment of their new manager today??? Too much talking from the black cats new owner!!
2

dirtydingusmagee added 07:13 - May 25 its gone quiet ,
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LWNR2013 added 08:25 - May 25 Shhhh. As for licking anything of McCarthy's.........NOOOOOOO. 🙂
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:32 - May 25 Sunderland set to announce Ross appointment today .
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LWNR2013 added 08:36 - May 25 Can you imagine the hysteria on here when we appoint someone. Toys out of the pram all over the place. Delerius happiness and tantrums. Passion again. 7 more days I think. ITID
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