Blackburn boss and former Blues skipper and coach Tony Mowbray says Town never contacted him during their search for a new manager at the end of last season. Mowbray’s Rovers are at Portman Road on Saturday for this campaign’s opening Championship match having been promoted from League One in May.

The 54-year-old was believed to be among those owner Marcus Evans was considering as Mick McCarthy's successor having tried to appoint the former Celtic, West Brom and Middlesbrough boss in the past.

Some reports at the time even claimed the man known as Mogga had been approached by Evans but had said he wasn’t interested.

“There was never any contact,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph setting the record straight.

“I know Marcus Evans reasonably well and have had a few interviews with him over the years at various times in between jobs.

“At those times it was never right for various reasons. This summer there was never a question asked of me.

“As people who would have seen those things in my family they would have asked me those questions and in my opinion Blackburn Rovers is a much better bet than Ipswich Town for the potential of where it could go at the moment.

“That’s not being negative to Ipswich Town, that’s me having a confidence having met the owners that we can get this ball rolling and who knows where it will stop.

“I like the club, I like the people, I’ve tried to connect with not just the players but the supporters and the owners and it’s important you enjoy coming to work.

“My family are settled, I can manage the commute [from his home on Teesside] and there’s no need for me think about changing the life I’ve got.

“This is the journey we’re on, the team we’re focusing with and looking forward to the challenge of it.”

Saturday's game will see Mowbray again lock horns with new Blues boss Paul Hurst, whose Shrewsbury side finished the last season third in League One, nine points and one place behind Blackburn.

Photo: Action Images

alexeasty99 added 09:36 - Aug 2 I personally think Marcus Evans did very well in getting Paul Hurst. The change in this club is unreal. Players actually want to play for us. The supporters are all back on side and I have no doubt the attendance will be higher than last season as we will be playing on the floor attractive football.
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KiwiBlue2 added 09:37 - Aug 2 Nothing like hearing it from the horses mouth. The comment about Blackburn being a better bet should add a bit of an edge to Saturday ..... coyb
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BlueBlood90 added 09:43 - Aug 2 I don't think I agree with Mowbray that Blackburn have more potential than us at all. We have a young, up and coming squad and they mainly have a load of old rejects barring Bradley Dack. I'm personally happier we appointed Hurst than I woud've been with Mowbray.
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spanishblue added 09:55 - Aug 2 I am very happy to see us going back to basics trying to find young hungry potentially good prospects,so much better than o.a.ps in footballing speak.I reckon M.E.employed P.H. at Easter time so he had time to sort the deadwood out modern training methods,wonder what Jonas did wrong,I foresee some exciting times ahead,with a few dodgy games but at least it,ll be players trying for a change,sad I won,t be there this Saturday

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timspencero added 09:57 - Aug 2 Yeah he hardly has any affection left for the club it seems, and two things stick out from those comments: 1) he doesn't like Evans (has more belief in BR owners) 2) he is in a comfort zone. one thing you can say about Hurst is he isn't, he wants more and will fight for it (come what may, but it's at least interesting!)
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algarvefan added 09:59 - Aug 2 Right decision to go for Hurst, however Mogga was a Town legend and who can forget the goal in the play-off final, what a header. I hope ALL Town fans give the guy the respect he deserves on Saturday win, lose or draw.
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Europablue added 10:05 - Aug 2 To be fair to Mowbray, he needs to keep his current club, supporters, and owners. Also it is a better bet for him to continue in a job he has done and done well for some time now. It would be harder for him to come to Ipswich and move his family than it would be to stay where he is. I love Mogga, but personally I always wanted Hurst (even if I did get nervous over the wait).

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BlueySwede added 10:28 - Aug 2 Of course Mowbray must believe more in the club that he is managing than other clubs! Would be very strange otherwise. But please, let our players use his comments for fuel this Saturday :)
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GlebeTractor added 10:38 - Aug 2 This is the first time I have been really excited about an Ipswich game, in a very long time. North Lower looks almost sold out, the place will be rocking. Is it Saturday yet?
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runningout added 10:57 - Aug 2 PR is paradise when full
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IpswichToon added 10:59 - Aug 2 I think Mowbray's comment there needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. If you haven't been sat in front on him to hear the whole conversation, taking a quote and printing it in text without the full context can be misleading. Mowbray bleeds Town - nobody doubts that. He spent a large part of his career here, ignited our come-back against Barnsley in the 2000 playoff finals and begun his journey to becoming a manager with Town. But I think what he was getting at is he has done all the groundwork for his position at Blackburn and is on a roll. He wants to take that momentum forward. Momentum he hasn't built up here if he were to restart at Ipswich.

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JewellintheTown added 11:17 - Aug 2 Nothing to see here. The guys saying the right things, for him, his family, the club etc, and ultimately the timings not right. Hasnt said anything negative, its just not a fit for him and ITFC at the moment. Maybe, one day ....
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Ipswichbusiness added 11:19 - Aug 2 The comments about Blackburn being wonderful, etc are ones he has to make to keep the supporters and so on happy. More interesting is that he wasn't approached. That lends support to the view that Paul Hurst was always the club's first choice; in which case well done to ME for landing his preferred candidate.
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Nthsuffolkblue added 11:24 - Aug 2 Indeed, the contest was "no disrespect to Ipswich". He knows what he is into where he is and expectations are probably a little more reasonable having only just returned from League 1. He should publicly show confidence in his present employers. He does also suggest a lack of confidence in Evans' desire too.
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Nthsuffolkblue added 11:25 - Aug 2 Context not contest!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 12:00 - Aug 2 Not the first person to be conned by Venkys
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Suffolk_n_Good added 12:24 - Aug 2 Much happier about Hurst being manager than Mowbray, never really done enough at managerial level for me, Hurst has brought in renewed enthusiasm to every aspect of the club
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dolphinpie added 15:18 - Aug 2 I think a lot of people on here are deluded, and seemingly excited by the fact that we are simply signing players. How many people have actually seen Edwards or Donacian play? I saw Donacian on loan at Newport Country (live there) for a season- he was shocking at league 2 level, eventually sent him back to Villa. Next thing - Hurst is amazing for signing him. How many of those saluting the signing are just excited, and how many have actually seen him play? Wish Mowbray & Venus were appointed- disallusioned by Hurst's mediocre signings

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