Prospective new Town boss Paul Hurst remained tight-lipped on his future following his Shrewsbury side's 2-1 extra-time defeat by Rotherham, who featured on-loan Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel, in this afternoon’s League One play-off final at Wembley.

Asked about his anticipated move to the Blues in a post-match Sky Sports interview, the 43-year-old said: “That’s been rumbling on for a while, as I’ve been linked with a couple of other ones as well. I don’t think it’s really the time.

“I appreciate you’re doing your job, but I don’t really want to pass comment on that, I’m still very much hurting from what I’ve just seen.”

Quizzed further on whether he intended to speak to the Blues by the BBC, Hurst added: "I can't speak to them as I don't know whether they want to. If there's anything in that, there has to be an approach.

"I said right from the start that I'm ambitious, and I'm flattered to be linked with clubs like that.

"But I've been linked at various points all season and I'm still here at the minute. Let's see what happens.

"At this moment in time I'm only interested in the players. I've got some of them to speak to with regard to next season - and that's not nice.

"We've just lost a final and a couple of them are going to get some news that's not great, but that's part of being a manager."

The Millers were the better side throughout this afternoon’s game with veteran defender Richard Wood, a Blues target during Jim Magilton’s time as boss, netting the opening goal in the first half and the winner in extra-time, having won an early penalty which was saved, all from set pieces.

The Shrews’ high point was a well-worked freekick which led to Alex Rodman grabbing their second-half equaliser.

👌 When the hard work on the training ground pays off.

👏 Well played @shrewsweb. #salop #FeelEveryEmotion pic.twitter.com/wmC9erOaQX– Sky Bet (@SkyBet) May 27, 2018

Emmanuel, 20, who recently carried off Rotherham's Young Player of the Season award, had a very solid game and will have impressed opposition boss Hurst, who appears all but certain to be his manager when he returns to Suffolk for the start of pre-season at the end of June.

Town will hold formal talks with Hurst and Shrewsbury in the week ahead having kept their distance during the Shropshire side’s play-off endeavours.

However, it’s long been understood that they have been given a strong indication that negotiations will progress positively and barring a late hitch Hurst looks set to be named Town manager later this week.

Those talks with Blues owner Marcus Evans seem unlikely to take place face to face with Hurst, who is understood to be on a rolling contract with the Shrews, flying to Dubai for a delayed family holiday on Monday.

Photo: Action Images

Pumpee1980 added 18:36 - May 27 Let's hope the 2nd from last paragraph is true
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LWNR2013 added 18:36 - May 27 OK
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 18:37 - May 27 Let's not judge on 1 game. Brilliant training ground routine for the Shrews goal. Happy with Hurst if that is the appointment. Has had success at all previous clubs and served his time in the lower league's. Think he's warrants a move be it to us or not so let's see.
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Flip added 18:40 - May 27 Alex Rodman** Alex Notman did score in a playoff final...for n*rwich against Birmingham 01/02
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bluerico added 18:49 - May 27 Now up to ME to get the deal done.
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PhilTWTD added 18:50 - May 27 Flip Amended, funny how the mind works.
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muccletonjoe added 18:55 - May 27 Is anything ever that straight forward at #itfc?
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Trac70 added 18:55 - May 27 Hang on!!! Hurst flies out on hols tomorrow so Evans can't interview him "face to face" BUT we're expected to name him as manager later this week??? Now either they've already spoken face to face or it's his job without an interview?? Don't get me wrong I'd be more than happy with Hurst but seems very strange. Coyb.
8

dav86 added 18:57 - May 27 Hurst is quite clearly the one Marcus Evans wanted all along, Ross had two interviews and was not offered a contract, if he really wanted him he would of offered him one. Let's all get behind the new manager and cheer on the town up the league. Up TheTown.
4

Len_Brennan added 19:01 - May 27 Phil, I have never read links to a player or manager written with such apparent certainty on here before. I don't believe you are one for over optimistic rhetoric without solid foundation, so I'm putting 2 & 2 together and awaiting the announcement. Hoping that sum equals 4 of course.
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TimmyH added 19:04 - May 27 Didn't cover themselves in glory today and expected somewhat more enterprising football from Shrewsbury but saying that Sky produced a stat showing they've played more games than anybody else in the country this season so maybe tiredness crept in on a big Wembley pitch? As another poster mentioned strange he's going on holiday now if being interviewed or even named as Ipswich boss relatively soon - personally feel he's got the job now whatever which makes the interviewing process that's been a bit of a mockery.

8

leftie1972 added 19:19 - May 27 Is it me or did Rodman lose his marker for that goal?
1

Icantbelieveyousaidt added 19:19 - May 27 So many on here are putting two and two together and certainly not making four! This business about possibly employing Mr Hurst without an interview is nonsense. If you do your homework you will see that Mr Evans has offices in Dubai. Now my guess is, this is where any interview(s) will be conducted........sorted. Keep the faith and don't believe all you read/hear!

1

gosblue added 19:36 - May 27 Not sure what Emmanuel was doing for Shrewsbury's Goal. Caught in two minds/ball watching? A fantastic goal though all the same.
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runningout added 19:40 - May 27 am I the only one that finds our manager hunt concerning. Wondering how many would be coaches wouldn't want it if offered after interview
2

sm1ffy added 19:41 - May 27 All you guys mentioning the interview or lack of should I say, please remember we are in 2018. Many interviews across businesses now happen via Skype or a similar software, an hour out of his holiday on his phone to ME and its all done.
5

leftie1972 added 19:49 - May 27 exactly my point gosblue
1

jas0999 added 19:57 - May 27 Shrewsbury deservedly beaten today. Didn't see much attacking or passing intent today either. That's very worrying. Hurst my pick from the off. Done a great job. But is he similar to MM in his approach? Let's hope today and the play offs were one offs ...
6

blue75 added 20:06 - May 27 What is it with these managers Ross went to Dubai and now Hurst. Is it where they go before changing clubs?
2

megamoth added 20:08 - May 27 How must Keifer Moore be feeling??? Turned Rotherham down for Barnsley. Ouch
7

JohnyJohnson added 20:12 - May 27 Anyone else thinking M.E paid for his holiday? :)
1

bluearmy78 added 20:14 - May 27 @blue75, Ross went on holiday to Greece 😂
1

barrystedmunds added 20:40 - May 27 Based on what I witnessed this afternoon, is Paul Warne available?
9

eMeM added 20:48 - May 27 I've watched playoff games and I'm not convinced about him. Cowley's long ball looked better than Hurst so called passing football. Also I was surprised to see that some of his players looked unmotivated for a most important game of their life. Don't want to see that in Ipswich Town team (that was the reason why Supple left!) Maybe next season he will manage to win promotion with Shrewsbury. Good luck. Lampard, Burley, Kuqi, Ross, Warburton, McClaren and maybe even "be careful what you wish for" are better but they need Evans to back them with money.

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StokeHigh97 added 20:50 - May 27 It's very sad when fans judge hurst & all he achieved with Shrewsbury, merely on today's performance: they've played more games than anyone else with a small squad: he has worked wonders in 18 months considering they nearly got relegated last season & pushed Wigan & Blackburn till the last few games: from what i saw in the playoff games with Charlton! clearly a manager who adapts his style & can organise a team & attack with speed: if it's Hurst let's all get behind him far too much doom & gloom on here:

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