Sunderland are expected to confirm the appointment of St Mirren manager Jack Ross as their new boss today with Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst now appearing a shoo-in to take over at Town.

Ross, 41, is understood to have agreed terms with the Black Cats during a chaotic Wednesday while away on holiday in Greece but is expected back today when it is anticipated he will put pen to paper at the Stadium of Light.

News that Ross had agreed terms with Sunderland came as a surprise to his current club St Mirren with the Wearsiders only belatedly asking for permission to speak to him, which the Buddies granted “reluctantly”.

Town were similarly caught off guard having reduced their shortlist to Ross and Hurst.

As previously reported, the 43-year-old Shrews manager has been a leading contender from virtually the start of Town’s recruitment process with Ross an initial outsider but the candidate who most impressed Blues owner Evans during interviews.

Town are expected to hold formal talks with Hurst next week after Shrewsbury’s League One play-off final against Rotherham at Wembley on Sunday.

The Blues have kept their distance during the Shrews’ play-off endeavours but it’s long been understood that they have had a strong indication that discussions are likely to progress positively whatever the outcome of Sunday's match.

Town look to be on track to make an announcement in line with Evans’s outlined timescale of late May or early June, probably late next week.

Asked to comment on links with Town early this month, Hurst said: "It's just a compliment to everyone here and the season that we've had."

Pressed on whether he could guarantee that he would stay with the Shrews next season, he added: ”I can't honestly answer that - it would be wrong for me to sit here and say that. I don't know what's going to happen between now and then.

"All I can honestly say is that I enjoy it here, I've got a good relationship with pretty much everyone at the football club and I want to try and take this club to the Championship.”

Hurst's assistant Chris Doig would be likely to follow him to Portman Road while the Blues are also currently short of a goalkeeper-coach and a fitness-coach with Malcolm Webster retiring and Andy Liddell opting to move on. Those positions at Shrewsbury are held by former Wales international Danny Coyne and Marc Lindsey.

Should an obstacle emerge in their pursuit of Hurst then the Blues would return to their longer list of potential recruits with a number of those interviewed also understood to have made an impression on Evans.

Hurst is now the evens favourite to take charge at Town with Bet Victor, while former Wales manager Chris Coleman is surprisingly second in the running at 6-1 and former Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton third at 10-1.

They're followed by Tim Sherwood, 12-1, Scott Parker, 14-1, and Frank Lampard, 16-1, all of whom TWTD revealed were among those interviewed by the Blues.

Photos: Action Images/Allan Picken

IpswichTownNL added 10:55 - May 25 No matter how you look at the situation it was handled poorly. I get that we try to be respectful and all but meanwhile Sunderland talk to a manager behind the clubs back and get things done. We have a job offer that gets ~ 100 applicants and 60 days in we are down to ‘one' candidate that we haven't spoken to yet. How? I can only image Hurst his agent is pissing himself with laughter as he increases terms with 10% a day. Also, really thought Ross would take the Town job over Sunderland for ‘the challenge'. Appoint three drunk housewives and they could get Sunderland out of League One on their current budget. Ross chose the easy job and money over the challenge. That surprises me given the interviews that I've read.

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Barty added 10:58 - May 25 Hurst is a much better option. I hope Ross takes Sunderland out of League 1 into League 2. At least he will have more supporters at Sunderland - I think St. Mirrens average crowd is about 6
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:58 - May 25 sorry Moscow, McCarthy had gone beyond the point of no return, he was at odds with the supporters,and it wouldn't have improved .
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bluearmy78 added 10:58 - May 25 I think Hutst if we get him will be a brilliant acquisition for us. Wether Shrewsbury get promoted or stay in Div 1 I think we'll get him as career wise for Paul it's a forward step in his career & financially I think we could blow Shrewsbury out of the water. Hoping that this comes off big time! COYB
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SuperBlue67 added 11:00 - May 25 This just shows that Town are still one of the decent clubs. ME must be praised for his dealings in this he has been professional and decent. Jack Ross to me is a money grabbing con man. He has gone behind the backs of ST Mirren and as for Sunderland what a bunch of **!!*&^. We have done this correctly and Hurst has been the consummate professional gentleman and look forward to seeing manage my beloved blues.

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BaddowBlue1 added 11:03 - May 25 While I am disappointed that Ross has gone to Sunderland, he has a young family and obviously East Anglia is a long way from his native Scotland. If his family didn't settle then he would be looking to leave sooner than anyone would want which could do more damage in the long run. Sunderland whilst looking a difficult task for him is probably the right option for him. Things appear to be further down the line with Hurst and we have waited to talk officially to him which will hopefully go in our favour if Derby decide to try and hijack him. If he decides to stay at the Shrews or go to Derby then I would be quite happy to have Burley on the back burner as the insurance marker who already knows the club. Hopefully by this time next week we will be out of our misery.

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eMeM added 11:07 - May 25 Now he can rise his financial expectations above what Evans is prepared to pay him. And if they win playoffs it will happen.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:10 - May 25 the circus moves on .
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black_shuck added 11:11 - May 25 If there was anything to learn from MM, it must be to identify targets in private and don't mention them until you've done the deal. keeping everyone informed about everything reduces your options and chance of landing your target. basics, ME
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timspencero added 11:16 - May 25 Watching videos of Paul Hurst, he comes across as quite dozy to be honest. He clearly has a formula of some sort, just hope it corresponds in higher leagues with v intelligent managers and less humble footballers. Let's hope he impresses at interview if he's to be the man - Evans at least has a brilliant grasp of the market because he's been so considered in his approach. Wishing us all luck!

0

SaigonTractor added 11:19 - May 25 Coleman at 6-1 makes me anxious...
3

lightingblue added 11:25 - May 25 Just a random thought. Cant we all go to Wembley and support the opposite team, make sure they win then hay presto, least we can say we did our bit. What you lot think?
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BlueandTruesince82 added 11:30 - May 25 Appleton took Oxford up from L2 and to EFL trophy final. Also secured them 8th place in first L1 season. He also did dealt well witn the mad houses of Pompey, Blackpool and Blackburn in hard circumstances. His departure from Blackpool was a bit off but other than that he is a young well regarded coach with a promtion and a (minor) cup final on his CV....... seems like a fair option to be..... he'd be 3rd choice of the alts listed mind

3

TimmyH added 11:31 - May 25 A 'shoo-in' - really!?!...and if Shrewsbury get promoted.
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grumpyoldman added 11:31 - May 25 Ross signed a pre-contractual agreement with Hartlepool United in April 2004. Ross suffered ankle ligament damage and spent a large part of his time on the sidelines. Hartlepool funded his rehabilitation and also allowed him to return home. However, Ross refused to return to Hartlepool, train or play for the club and asked Hartlepool's chairman Ken Hodcroft to tear up his contract claiming he was homesick. Hartlepool refused and asked for compensation and a refund of agent fees. Ross left without consent and later went on sick and claimed that he would not return to Hartlepool even if "they were in the Champions League". He also criticised Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper for feeling let down by his actions, stating that "maybe the manager thinks I have let him down but that's nothing compared with how I feel about him". On 31 July 2005, Hartlepool agreed to terminate his contract after finally receiving compensation, which included a refund of the fees paid to Ross's agent. After reading that I am glad he is not coming to Ipswich.

16

SouperJim added 11:35 - May 25 So despite all the bluster from fans, ME has quietly gone about his business in a professional manner and looks like getting his first choice. While waiting patiently for Shewsbury's season to end, he's done his due diligence and interviewed a handful of good back up options. The fact one of those has decided to join basket case Sunderland in the mean time is beyond his control and doesn't change the fact that everything is going to plan. But let's not miss an opportunity to have a pop at ME eh?

9

casanovacrow added 11:37 - May 25 From Evans interview I had the impression he was interviewing people to see what they had to say, to see if they fit what he was wanting to do with the club, which makes sense. What doesn't make sense is making your number one target a guy that you haven't even spoke to, that smells of panic to me, regardless of Hurst seeming good on paper. Either that or the whole process was some charade.

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ChateauWines added 11:41 - May 25 Paul Hurst a far better candidate than Jack Ross on achievements so far in his career. Certainly my first choice and I guess ME as well. Regarding transfer window; do people really think we need that many new players? Hoping that Bart stays, injured players coming back pre season fit plus our exciting youngsters, we have a pretty decent squad with a forward thinking new manager. I'm sure Paul Hurst may want to bring one or two trusted players with him

3

BlueBlood90 added 11:52 - May 25 Paul Hurst certainly has the better CV than Jack Ross, however I think Ross has the more attractive philosophy of playing fast, attacking football that we've been craving. Just hope we can get this over the line early next week
1

martin587 added 11:53 - May 25 Just be patient lads,remember it could still be somebody who has NOT as yet been mentioned.Having said that I still hope,it's Paul Hurst.👍
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BlueandTruesince82 added 11:53 - May 25 You cant blame Evans for the leaks. He's has as usual remained stoic, even with the panic on yesterday. Leaks come from sorts, agents, candidates, the tea lady's nephew. To expect Evans to control that is over expectation by some way and rather disingenuous when one considers he normally gets abuse for his "silence:
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1RWR added 11:55 - May 25 I'll say it again, perhaps Ross didn't impress Evans? It happens & will probably happen again to another club. I've had my doubts about Evans up to now, but, I have to say (up to this point in time) he has conducted himself & the interview process impeccably. It may well go tits up but I have a feeling we'll be ok.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 11:57 - May 25 Also great bit of insight Grumpy. Feels more and more like we have swerved one here
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DurhamTownFan added 11:57 - May 25 If he wins the play-offs, why move? He'd be in the same division as us and has a chance to 'finish the job' by keeping them up, or at least trying to see if he could do that. We all love our club, but living in Swansea, I can tell you that from the outside, nobody rates us as a premier league club in waiting any more. We may believe in the potential of our club, but from the outsider's point of view, we've been stuck in the Championship for 16 years, we spend very little, and we don't (any more) play exciting football. I think Me needs to prove that he will back a new manager, in order to make us an attractive prospect. Derby (who always spend big of late) are also looking: where would you go if you had no previous ties?

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Ryorry added 12:01 - May 25 Top research/post @Grumpyoldman, thanks. Assuming what you say about Ross & Hartlepool Utd in 2004-5 is correct, we really have dodged a bullet there.
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