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

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:34 - May 28 I'll certainly support the new manager for different reasons, be it Hurst (interesting prospect, give him a chance), Burley (how could you not support him?), Parker (intelligent bloke, worthwhile punt), etc. But I am afraid I'm not optimistic about whoever comes in being able to work miracles on our current budget. It may be that in the future mad world of football, we are, with our finances and fan base, just destined to be a club at League 1 level. I will still dream the dream that we can punch above our weight, and I'll still be proud of our illustrious past; but if you look at what we need to get in front of just at Championship level now, the odds don't look good: Fulham, Villa, Boro, Derby, + others are all well-established and have cash. At least one, probably two, maybe all three, of WBA, Stoke, and Swansea are likely to make their money talk. Then we have Leeds, who have new cash and must go up sometime, likewise QPR. OK, occasionally a "small" club makes it, but many more don't. Maybe the most realistic thing we can hope for at the moment is some more entertaining play and seeing some exciting new youngsters develop. Whether that will get us in the top six, is, I'm afraid, rather unlikely. If we could win back the fans and re-create the feeling of belonging to the club of the Burley era, I'd settle for that. Let's hope the new manager can establish a new rapport with the fans first and foremost. Results aren't everything.

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warktheline added 13:44 - May 28 @blue, I don't need to check I follow stats of clubs and individuals on a regular bases! I'm certainly not opposed to Hurst or such like ( Cowley my choice, similar road ) but it's the 'aggressive' nature of posting for and against candidates! A dismissive nature! Anybody can 'massage' stats to an advantageous stance! Every appointment in life is a risk, but everybody 'weights' up the pro and cons and move forward accordingly ! In regards to Butcher, no I wouldn't employ him as a manager but as a possible number 2 . Burley would fill the stadium and his brand of football alongside the likes of Webster, Dozzell, Bishop, Huws, Wag horn etc 'could' work! It's a point of view, no more, but something our club at this present time may need! It's just an opinion! Now McCarthy has gone I look forward with 'optimism' and will back whoever gets the job! COYB.

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Europablue added 13:49 - May 28 You'll struggle to find any big MM supports, but you will find a few of us who appreciated what he did for us. He basically set up his replacement for success by stabilizing the club. I'd rather have an owner who sticks with a manager a season too long without getting relegated than one who pulls the trigger way too early.
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blueboy1981 added 14:04 - May 28 Appoint Hurst then - all you excitables - then you'll be the first to complain when he doesn't hit the ground running, and we reset to ZERO by Christmas. This isn't the Ipswich way that I know. What has Hurst achieved ? - I ask again. Some of you need to get REAL. However, if he is appointed, I wish him well - and sincerely hope we move forward - AND NOT BACKWARDS. As warktheline rightly says, we need to fill the ground - Hurst doesn't tick that box for me at this stage.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:11 - May 28 If you found that aggressive I do apologise. I really dont think it was. Sarcastic yes but aggressive hardly. Blueboy, I think you find that I always give managers time. You no doubt recall I gave Mick more than a fair crack. I always like to see manages given time and I am on record as having said that's one of the things I like about Evans and one of the reasons I think the job an attractive proposition for managerial suitors. Gav, motion to change the name of the forum to either Millenial Falcon or The abominable snowflake.

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warktheline added 14:18 - May 28 @blue, no need for apologises! I can post with the best of them, and considering 'recently' you've been 'full' of it, dismissing all and sundry who don't concur with you over 'managerial matters' I'm not surprised our paths have crossed! To the future!
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Bildestoned added 14:20 - May 28 I notice this is now merely a 'could be' our manager according to the Anglian. Sound of no chickens being counted.
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midastouch added 14:30 - May 28 the fact is only 22% voted for hurst on the poll the last time i looked so he wasn't top choice in these parts. so i think it's safe to say a few of us are a bit uncertain but still happy enough to give him every chance if does get the job. personally i'd go for somebody like gary white, or i'd be happy as well to see george and terry given the nod, but if hurst gets the job then so be it. hurst doesn't get me quite as excited as some of the other options but if he does the business should he get the job then he'll happily make a convert out of me. i'm not saying i don't think he'll do a good job, i'm just sitting on the fence a bit as i really don't know enough about him. i've only ever seen shrewsbury play once under his watch and you can't judge much on a single match. it seems a lot more people wanted ross than hurst. but then bobby robson was only meant to be about 3rd choice so sometimes sloppy 2nds or 3rd can be a blessing in disguise. i'm not sure what to make of it all, guess it's just going to be a wait and see job and hope for the best.

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midastouch added 14:32 - May 28 And Ross was never my first choice either, I've always been in the dark horse Gary White camp or alternatively George and Terry.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:39 - May 28 Dismissing nobody. Making a point and backing that witb reason yes. But not full of it, merely enjoying the discussion with the excitement of a new manager. I enjoy debate and so when Simone questions the clear success of someone I feel it right to correct them. Like the person who pronounces supposedly supposeably, one should help them learn
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Trac70 added 15:10 - May 28 We all have different opinions if life but more to the point opinions regarding our club and next manager (I wanted Steijn). BUT please whoever it turns out to be lets really get behind him and the team, give him time and not show dissent after a few months. I wanted MM out, it happened and in my opinion was for the best. When the new boss is announced let's put differences aside, give him, time and get PR rocking again. Coybs.

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Swn98 added 15:11 - May 28 Disagree totally as usual with blue bore Burley and Butcher definitely not the way forward. Personally I would of continued with MM with the foundation's he had laid but hey Ho the boo boys and snowflakes on Twtd know better. I would go with Warburton but it would appear that not even the unemployed are queuing up for the town job. Be careful what you wish for.
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warktheline added 15:14 - May 28 @blue, your final paragraph sums you up! Maybe you should 'help yourself to learn' by listening! Just my opinion, of course! By the way, you might just want to check your own posts before correcting the 'less fortunate'!
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Ipswichbusiness added 15:20 - May 28 Hurst has been my favourite from the start and he remains so as he has an excellent track record and looks ready for the step up. That said the idea of Burley/Butcher is growing on me as they would be dedicated to the club (probably too dedicated for ME's liking!).
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martin587 added 15:25 - May 28 It will possibly end up being Big Sam.(only joking)😂😂. Whoever it is it's certainly keeping us all on tenterhooks. Let's just be patient as I'm sure an announcement is imminent.🤔I just have a feeling it won't be Paul Hurst.
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Essexipswichboy added 15:26 - May 28 I said this the last time I posted on here a couple of days ago....yes if shrews win everybody will be this man promoted 2 clubs ......but now he is oh yea he got them to play offs What a difference a day makes I still think ME has another trick up his sleeve as I also said on here before
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Kirbmeister added 15:29 - May 28 Good to see all the usual suspects are limbering up nicely with their argumentative tones in anticipation of the new manager being named. Whoever get's the job it's not going to be Burley, Butcher, Wark or any other old legend. Whoever gets the job, and Evans can choose whoever the hell he wants as he pays the wages, let's make sure we are still behind the new boss even if we're not top of the table by the end of August.

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ivandeighton added 15:30 - May 28 Some posts on here are good it's Hurst for me some posts on here are pathetic give a young and up and coming manager a chance if he gets appointed the pathetic posts go and support the scum
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:42 - May 28 Wark, you really shouldn't take me so seriously here is my point a little less dryly. Some statements on here have no basis in fact and I think it's fair to call out utter BS. If you asked each of Hursts previous clubs (or fans of said clubs) they would say yes. 2 promotions, how many cup finals in his short career? If that does not so far meet with the definition for success then what does? It's is the now one can argue that success is to some degree subjective I will concede but if that success in measured in cups, finals , promotions and making playoffs (which I feel in footba it generally is but if you disagree please give me yours) then surely that metric is met so far. Does that mean he will do well here? No. but as I have said all along whoever is appointed is a risk. Now maybe I play a bit of devils advocate to make that point some times but that's the fun of discussion isn't it? I despair when people view a diffrent of opinion as a personal attack. Debate is part of the fun is it not? I welcome any disagreement with my opinion of its backed up properly. I mean if we are saying that Hurst lacks the experience and we need someone with proven championship success then Pardew fits that Bill doesn't it and in fact based on that logic is the stand out candidate and no one wants that. I mean if we took the Ipswich out of Burley. Let's see his acivements were identical but instead of with Ipswich he achieved promotion and European football with say Charlton, would anyone be calling for him? But of course it was witn Ipswich and sometimes a manager just clicks with a job and club so i do understand it. I'm just saying that neither really has more mettit than the other, neither represents more or less of a risk so thay being the case let's at least allow Hurst the credit he deserves. What has he achieved is akin to the Peoples front of Judea asking what have the Romans ever done for us? Nothing! Apart from the roads, aquaducts, law and order trade......... Etc. In all honest I can listen to someone say supposeably all night, they are still pronouncing it wrong though.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:44 - May 28 Oh and type o's? Come on.
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LWNR2013 added 15:45 - May 28 Anyone know how ST sales are going? And as for ID of next manager, I have no idea. How about Herman Herraiderson (spell check please). I loved HH.
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LWNR2013 added 15:46 - May 28 But then again, the future does not lay in the past.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 15:47 - May 28 *asking what he he has achieved
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Ipswichbusiness added 15:48 - May 28 If you look at ME's three previous appointments then the common factors are; 1) a "name" manager, 2) unemployed, 3) a previous promotion from the Championship. Applying those criteria, the leading candidates would be the likes of Burley, Allardyce or Di Matteo.
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Seasider added 16:11 - May 28 Yes Bob it's me again !!! Only saw the highlights as were away. Bob saw full game and thought that Rotherham were the better team,and Josh did ok. Must say that from highlights not overly impressed with the Shrews,apart from their build up to the goal;and their Managers interview afterwards.He showed more respect for the opposition,and the Press than we have been accustomed to from our previous manager. Have wanted Frank Lampard for some time now;but looks as though he could be going to Derby,which is a pity. Said all along that we just have to trust Marcus with this,strange that Steijn who was the fans choice at the start nevers seems to be mentioned now;and doesn't appear to have been interviewed. Should know by next week,and if Mr Evans is that keen should travel to Dubai to interview the prospective manager,whilst he is on holiday

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