Paul Lambert will be confirmed as Town’s new manager within the 48 hours, TWTD understands.

Paul Hurst’s short spell as Blues boss ended this afternoon with the former Shrewsbury manager, his assistant Chris Doig, fitness coach Nathan Winder and physio Chris Skitt also leaving the club.

Hurst's stint of 149 days and 15 games is the shortest in the club's professional history.

Owner Marcus Evans has sounded out a number of potential new managers over the last couple of weeks - ex-Millwall boss Ian Holloway, former Villa boss Tim Sherwood and Leicester assistant manager Michael Appleton among them - following Town’s disastrous start to the season.

Evans relieved Hurst of his duties this afternoon with the players, who had been given the day off, called to Playford Road to be given the news.

We understand Lambert, 49, is expected at the club tomorrow with the loose ends relating to his recruitment expected to be tied up in time for confirmation of his appointment either tomorrow or Saturday. It's believed he will sign a three-year deal.

In the meantime, Bryan Klug has been reappointed caretaker-manager and will be in charge at the Den. The academy head of coaching and player development will take tomorrow's press conference, which won't be shown on Facebook Live.

Lambert’s assistant is likely to be former Norwich defender Ian Culverhouse, who resigned from his position as manager of Grantham Town last week. Culverhouse, 54, previously worked alongside Lambert at Colchester United, Norwich City and Aston Villa.

Lambert was last in a job earlier this year, taking charge of Stoke City in January but leaving in May following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship.

Previously he was in charge at Wolves, Blackburn and Villa, but is most remembered in East Anglia for his stint in charge at Norwich between 2009 and 2012 during which he took them from League One to the Premier League in successive seasons.

The Scot had joined the Canaries from Colchester United where he had spent just under a year. The U's had defeated Norwich 7-1 on the opening day of 2009/10.

His managerial career started at Livingston, where he finished his playing days, before he moved on to Wycombe.

A midfielder, he played for St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund - with whom he won the Champions League - and Celtic as well as Livingston and won 40 caps for Scotland, scoring once.

Photo: Action Images

Taricco_Fan added 20:42 - Oct 25 Some utter morons on here. Get over the Norwich connection. He did an excellent job there (and at Colchester before). He's managed a few basket case clubs since then but has proven himself to be a decent organiser which is what we need above all else. Managers and players move between rival clubs. Always have, always will. It's a job to them. Get over it.
26

budgieplucker added 20:44 - Oct 25 I note the concerns about Culverhouse but we have to get over the Norwich connections, I am sure you would all prefer Culverhouse to his other assistant at Villa, ......the dark lord!!!!
8

WoodfordTim added 20:45 - Oct 25 We were all ecstatic the way the team played on the opening day of the season. Exciting football compared to the dross we had been watching. A sad day & wish PH well, but it proved all too many changes all too soon. Happy if we get Paul Lambert. A couple of wins will get our season back on track and January transfer window will be interesting. Feel sympathy for Marcus Evans. He gave PH complete trust & support and it has backfired. He and a lot of us feel like right wallies at the moment

7

WoodfordTim added 20:45 - Oct 25 We were all ecstatic the way the team played on the opening day of the season. Exciting football compared to the dross we had been watching. A sad day & wish PH well, but it proved all too many changes all too soon. Happy if we get Paul Lambert. A couple of wins will get our season back on track and January transfer window will be interesting. Feel sympathy for Marcus Evans. He gave PH complete trust & support and it has backfired. He and a lot of us feel like right wallies at the moment

1

Taricco_Fan added 20:46 - Oct 25 @lightningblue... THAT back pass was Robert Ullathorne.
0

naa added 20:47 - Oct 25 Lightningblue, no that was Ullathorne
0

boltzak added 20:49 - Oct 25 The last ex Norwich man didn't do to bad.
9

44_not_out added 20:50 - Oct 25 Woodford, the football was different to what we were used to on the opening day, but by no means did I leave the ground estatic! We scraped a draw and Norwich match aside, the football has been dreadful
1

lightingblue added 20:51 - Oct 25 Thanks for reminding me. Brain freeze!! Lol
1

midastouch added 20:51 - Oct 25 Just wondering if we could slot Disco Dale Gordon and Robert Fleck into the backroom staff set up as well while we're at it. Dale the one trick stepover pony could be in charge of organising the Xmas Disco to ensure we get extra added value from our beloved Norfolk cousins. What a strange day this is turning out to be. What with Jordan Rhodes plying his trade down the other end of the A140 now, they'll soon be sending the Sheriff of Norwich across the border on a diplomatic mission in attempt to trade back hostages.

4

naa added 20:54 - Oct 25 Woodford Tim, I cane away from the Blackburn game, where we'd scraped a draw wondering where the promised football was. It felt just like watching a MM game to me. I'm glad you were ecstatic but I certainly wasn't and nor was anyone else I spoke to that day.
1

jas0999 added 20:56 - Oct 25 This is either a very astute move by Evans or a stupid one. Time will tell. Wouldn't mind betting it splits the fan base 50/50. In the meantime, I wish Lambert all the very go best.
9

dirtydingusmagee added 20:58 - Oct 25 FOR F#cks sake, we are Town supporters, But to say we dont want anyone be it players or managers because of Norwich connections is just blind stupidty. Hurst has been a total disaster, I dont how Lambert came into the frame,but he has experience ,Hurst has been a disaster by any standards.
14

bobbyb added 20:58 - Oct 25 I hope he can speak a little slower, always struggled to understand the broad scots accent!
0

franco added 21:01 - Oct 25 Scum
-21

hulltractor added 21:02 - Oct 25 Where they come from, who they have played for is irrelevant to me. We are deep in the mire and all I care about this season now is 4th bottom. Beggars cannot be choosers. Get them in and get us back up this league #ITFC #COYB
15

martin587 added 21:03 - Oct 25 As others have said,if he keeps us up then I will be very happy.We need to get behind the manager and give him full support.Remember this is OUR club and we want the best for it.I for one will give him my full support.Its points we need and to win the next three very important games,remember that. Sleep well.!
12

WoodfordTim added 21:10 - Oct 25 No, looking back, I wasn't 'ecstatic' after the Blackburn game. Apologies, memory fade. Yes, we did scrap a draw, but I was, shall I say, 'excited' for the future and Paul Hurst came over and got a tremendous ovation from the North Stand. It was a truly good start with a new team and our group left very hopeful for the future.
0

ITFCFan added 21:10 - Oct 25 Surely we gotta put his past behind him and forget the scum and hope dear God he can turn our season around!! We need experiance and he has a huge amount of that so ill park the link to the scum if he gets us winning!!! Anything has gotta be better than the last couple of months!!
4

Northstandveteran added 21:10 - Oct 25 Must be backed financially by Evans. The remainder of the pre kick off sales for starters and a risky 5 mill from his back pocket for the next window and we might have a chance....
4

christiand added 21:11 - Oct 25 Just yet another uninspiring selection of managerial candidates by ME are we surprised? Just look at those names and feel massively underwhelmed, but if one of them keeps us up then great and that's what matters currently!!
-1

bluemike1969 added 21:14 - Oct 25 So sorry blue and true. Totally agree with you but hit the wrong button. Durrrrr
0

blueblood_soldier added 21:18 - Oct 25 I thought Hurst was a good appointment but I will admit I was wrong.. I don't think Lambert is the answer.. Done nothing since Norwich.. would much prefer poyet and taricco? They need a job!!
2

AndrewPC added 21:18 - Oct 25 The first thing to be said is that the appointment of Lambert is not a good solution from the perspective of ITFC strategy. Separately, the sacking of Hurst and his team tells us that owner Evans is now desperate. He alone is accountable for the manager selection and again he has failed with Hurst. Clearly, having given Hurst his "freedom". over changes at the club, Evans has quickly voted for survival in League 2 rathr than relegation. Problem is, will Lambert deliver that ? Tall order, and good luck to him as he is already appointed. however, WHAT THE HELL IS THE FUTURE for this great club

0

AndrewPC added 21:18 - Oct 25 The first thing to be said is that the appointment of Lambert is not a good solution from the perspective of ITFC strategy. Separately, the sacking of Hurst and his team tells us that owner Evans is now desperate. He alone is accountable for the manager selection and again he has failed with Hurst. Clearly, having given Hurst his "freedom". over changes at the club, Evans has quickly voted for survival in League 2 rathr than relegation. Problem is, will Lambert deliver that ? Tall order, and good luck to him as he is already appointed. however, WHAT THE HELL IS THE FUTURE for this great club

2

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