TWTD understands former Millwall and Cardiff manager Neil Harris has applied for the management vacancy at Town, while a number of the other reported contenders are not in the running for the role.

The Blues’ recruitment process is still in its early stages following Paul Cook’s sacking last Saturday with Town’s new ownership in no rush to make an appointment while at the same time keen that the process shouldn’t drag on for too long. Contrary to some reports, no formal shortlist has been drawn up.

Harris, 44, moved to favouritism with the bookies yesterday morning and, following reports that he was keen on the role and under consideration later in the day, moved in to 5-4 on.

In January, TWTD revealed that Harris was among the managers under consideration by former owner Marcus Evans - who, as we reported last night, is currently in talks regarding a move for Championship club Huddersfield - prior to Paul Lambert’s tenure coming to an end.

Harris, who is from Orsett in Essex but is understood to have family in Suffolk, was a striker in his playing days most notably with Millwall, while also featuring for Nottingham Forest and latterly Southend.

He was named the Lions’ permanent boss in 2015 having had previous stints as their caretaker boss while in charge of their U21s.

Harris remained at the Den for five years, taking them into the League One play-offs twice, winning at Wembley in 2016/17, having been beaten in the final the previous year.

He spent only 14 months at Cardiff but saw them to fifth in the Championship before losing to Fulham in the semi-finals.

Harris's application is only one of plenty of applications received with CEO Mark Ashton's team having begun to sift through them earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, we understand there is little likelihood of former Norwich and Preston boss Alex Neil getting the Portman Road job despite reports that he is keen in the Scottish press last night. Similarly, former Celtic boss Neil Lennon would appear unlikely to be the successful candidate despite reportedly being interested.

Ex-Blues skipper and coach Tony Mowbray has also been linked but it’s understood there is no chance he will be leaving Blackburn Rovers, with the Lancastrians currently fourth in the Championship.

Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was mentioned in connection with the job earlier in the week and while he might have considered Town if they were in the Championship, it’s believed the one-time Derby boss would not want to drop into League One.

Lampard’s Chelsea and England team-mate John Terry is looking for his first club as a manager having left Aston Villa where he was assistant boss but we understand won't be under consideration for the position at Town.

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton was believed have been eyed by the Blues’ owners ahead of the takeover, Ashton and chairman Mike O'Leary having previously worked with him at West Brom and Oxford, but TWTD has learned is not presently being looked at as part of the current process.

Sunderland’s Lee Johnson, who worked for Ashton at Bristol City, is also not under consideration.

One-time Blues academy player and coach Liam Manning, who took charge at the MK Dons earlier in the season, is also not currently a contender.

Speculation that ex-Blues defender Frank Yallop and former Waterford boss Marc Bircham, who was at the Charlton game the other night, might be in the running is also wide of the mark, despite the pair having worked at Arizona United, who became Phoenix Rising, the club in which the Blues’ American investors are among the co-owners.

Photo: Action Images

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:33 - Dec 10 The recruitment process is "still in its early stages," so I wouldn't draw too many conclusions just yet. Agree, however, that I hope we can do better than Harris, who doesn't excite me much.
0

blues1 added 14:33 - Dec 10 Markchips. No, he's not a shoe in( whatever that means). He's applied for the job. They've had a whole load of other managers apply, and only started sorting through the list on Wednesday. Not even started the interviewing process. Expect there will be a whole load more names mentioned before any appointment is made.
-1

LancsBlue added 14:35 - Dec 10 To be honest I haven't seen a REALISTIC candidate mentioned that I'd rather have than Paul Cook. Let's hope Ashton can pull something out of the hat.
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:36 - Dec 10 Cripes Phil. Apart from Harris and Shefki is anyone else actually in the running? Seems like you've ruled out just about every name linked there
2

blueconscience added 14:38 - Dec 10 @Blues1: we don't expect world class, we just expect better than what they sack!!!
4

ElephantintheRoom added 14:45 - Dec 10 To be fair the Town job is a gravy train rider's dream. All manner of managerial duds will be applying. Cook was allowed to gut the club by the clueless chancers now running the club - and got all of four months before trousering his pay-off. With the panic button pressed the next manager is likely to get even less time. There can be very few jobs where being utterly useless is more rewarding than actually being able to do the job - but football management is one of them

1

multiplescoregasms added 14:49 - Dec 10 Don't read too much into these 'reports' as they mean nothing. Let's just see who they appoint and take it from there. We know whoever they appoint, some will like, some will hate, and some will not really care. Let's at least wait until then before worrying about it. If you think the owners are going to make a decision based on what is said on a website, I think you may well be wrong.

4

Orraman added 14:53 - Dec 10 No point in getting all worked up about who or who may not be appointed. There is no guarantee that any manager will be successful at any given club. David Moyes did a great job at Everton, then flopped at Man Utd, Real Sociedad and Sunderland as well as first tenure at West Ham. Look at him now. Eddie Howe did a great job at Bournemouth but then flopped at Burnley before returning south where he did well again. There are probably many more but these two are the ones who spring to mind. Then there are the unknowns who come from nowhere and do a job. Currently Johnny Jackson is doing OK at Charlton as well as the fella at MK Dons whose name currently escapes me (old age!!) So amongst all the big names, middle of the road names and unknowns, we will not know if it's good choice until he gets here and shows us what he can do. We have all pretty well trusted Mark Ashton and all he has done so far, so let's back his appointment, get behind the new guy and start the recovery as soon as possible

6

markchips added 14:56 - Dec 10 blues1 - until anybody comes up with alternatives and the bookies will have some inside knowledge , can't see beyond Harris . I am not inspired by this at all but if you look at how successful Rotherham and Wycombe have been at getting promoted plus their current positions may be we need to rethink the way out/ the way we play, of this division plus staying up of course, both of which are talents Harris possesses.

1

TotalBlue added 15:02 - Dec 10 Oh come on guys this is press talk. I would fully back whoever gets the job. I do think we need another Burley/Magilton a person who love the club heart on sleeve type guy a gamble but could be fantastic and has applied Kuqi yes little experience but one of our own!!
0

TotalBlue added 15:07 - Dec 10 Carrying on about Kuqi who would like to see his swan dive in the dug out when we scored!!
1

mr_bean added 15:14 - Dec 10 No thanks!
0

Barty added 15:21 - Dec 10 NO FFS NO
0

renoble added 15:26 - Dec 10 I've figured it all out. 1. The board decide after a poor start that they need to replace PC. 2. They want a big name manager. They find what they are looking for in late September. He agrees to take over. But all remains silent. 3. They wait for exactly the right moment. 4. Boom — everyone is surprised by PC's sacking (note the time — 2 weeks before Pack Out Portman Road). 5. The board begin an ‘extensive search'. 6. Put JM in charge and hope for a bounce. 7. Meanwhile allow ‘sources' to leak potential candidates that the board know will not inspire the faithful: Lennon, Harris, Neil. 8. The big name — who had been offered and accepted the job in late September - is finally announced on Wednesday morning and will watch the FA Cup game from the stands. 9. Everyone is rejuvenated for Saturday. 10. New big name manager leads the team out against Sunderland for a capacity crowd. 11. We win huge — the faithful go mad with delirious delight.

5

vanmunt added 15:33 - Dec 10 Have I just woken from a coma on 1st April..
1

Kevcreats added 15:44 - Dec 10 People need a reality check, no top names will take a mid table side in L1 because if they fail its over, thier reputation in tatters. Need to be realistic and get Manager who will stick some f**ks into the team and show passion and aggression. Someone on here said play the Ipswich way, what's that ?? We haven't played anyway for 17 years
1

aas1010 added 15:47 - Dec 10 God no plz …. Next
0

ricardo55555 added 15:47 - Dec 10 Did Ashton dislike Cook, And was looking for an excuse to convince the American owners? The players clearly liked cook as a leader. Did Aston really think things through. Clearly Ashton gave him no warning, judging by the interview after the Barrow game. Disappointed.
0

dyersdream added 15:54 - Dec 10 So Blues1 who do you want as manager as every post you slag off ???
1

ricardo55555 added 15:56 - Dec 10 Looking at all available candidates currently out of work, Paul Cook looks the best bet.
6

grumpyoldman added 15:59 - Dec 10 This is not a popularity contes & we are not the ones doing the choosing. There are certain managers I would not want within a thousand miles of the club, but if they are appointed they will have my 100% backing unless they make a hash of the job.
1

johnwarksshorts added 16:03 - Dec 10 Patients everyone, this managerial appointment is not something our board/owners are going to rush into. Stop listening to all the rumour and speculation. I'm sure they will appoint the right man/woman for the job. Please whoever they appoint just get behind them and let's get some positivity back. I backed Cook, and really hoped he'd succeed think he went too soon. COYB!

1

BlueRuin69 added 16:05 - Dec 10 Little harsh on Harris, his record is decent at higher level. Coyb
1

stocktractor added 16:07 - Dec 10 called this all along..would be the worst appointment in our history.. look at his first press conference for cardiff as an example..id rather have neill. my brother pointed out something apt..if we were now looking at all the managers on our shortlist and paul cook was one of them on our shortlist..we'd all want Paul cook. Bring cook back FFS
0

itfchorry added 16:10 - Dec 10 Ye Gods NO
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls