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

Cakeman added 19:44 - Dec 10 All speculation at this stage but be it Neil Harris or whoever gets the job I would like to think the supporters afford him at least the opportunity to do well for us. If we are not careful we shall soon be known as a club who have supporters that can back teams to the hilt but in an instant can turn very nasty. Not the Ipswich I grew up with. Also for what it's worth Neil Harris' record is not bad. He is a Millwall legend for a reason. His efforts for them as a player and manager are very commendable. I would not be unhappy if he took up our role.

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Carberry added 19:51 - Dec 10 blues1, the owners have no idea how to run a football league club, they will have been guided by Ashton and the Chairman who will have recommended the sacking. And as you are so well informed, what were the off field reasons for Cook's sacking? Hiring Scousers?
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Dissboyitfc added 20:07 - Dec 10 Chaplin said earlier , Cooks sacking showed the clubs ambition, if this guy gets it, it does show ambition it shows lack of patience! Hopefully there is someone better to come, ffs I hope so
1

WonTheCupin78 added 20:37 - Dec 10 Depends what we want. He did get results with Cardiff but was also well-known for his super-boring tactical style. Very cautious playing style with lots of short, slow and methodical passing round the back four often followed by a long hoof up field. Sure this is just speculation anyway and the club won't sign him, but solid No from me.
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WonTheCupin78 added 20:42 - Dec 10 @ArnieM He has no job at present.
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HarleydavidsonBlue added 20:42 - Dec 10 I know this is all speculation at the moment who get the job of new manager, but what worry's me is that who ever get the job, how will they get the players playing as a team? After all, most of the players were cooks choice, and they were not performing at the end of the day. Your thoughts please ?
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Zondervanromeo added 20:50 - Dec 10 the more a think about it the more i think bringing back roy keane would be perfect , unfinished Business
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churchmans81 added 20:52 - Dec 10 Absolutely not! Sir Alf and Sir Bobby will be turning in their graves!
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Saxonblue74 added 20:53 - Dec 10 Zondervanromeo,can I suggest you stop thinking?!🤣
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Zondervanromeo added 20:55 - Dec 10 Seriously I think he's learnt from his mistakes first time round
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Zondervanromeo added 21:10 - Dec 10 Lampard unrealistic, john terry no experience, neil harris Didn't wanna sign as a player , The rest of them Uninspiring! roy keane untill the end of the season and Available
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shakytown added 21:23 - Dec 10 I agree with zondervan that he would have learnt a lot and also people need to realise just how bad Evans and Cleggy were behind the scenes. At least with Keane in charge you would not see the pathetic attitude that some of this mob are showing.
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Saxonblue74 added 21:30 - Dec 10 Keane was an appalling manager and a vile man. I can't believe this is even being offered up as a viable option!
2

Thebot added 21:41 - Dec 10 Brentford Co-owner leaving his club in 2 weeks... Don't know why but he's got that tin pot club to the prem. Get him in he knows what to do 🤷‍♂️
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DifferentGravy added 22:10 - Dec 10 Blimey theres a lot of vitriol, discontent and a general malaise. Think by this time of the evening (for those in jolly ol England) the keyboard is getting a bit of a thrashing..... encouraged by a few bevvies. Not going to debate Keane, irrespective of your views, he has already stated it was the worst time of his career. So many names mentioned and plenty of reasons for and against. I have absolutely no idea and, ultimately, there isnt going to be an overwhelming consensus or even majority. Whomever is chosen....those that disagree will just have to suck it up. Nothing wrong with opinion and disagreement but so much ill will going back and forth (Im as culpable). Perhaps time to just get behind the club........or is that just the panda pop shandy talking

1

Lathers added 23:11 - Dec 10 Should never have sacked Cook without having already lined up a quality replacement. On the back of a slump in form, Charlton, Wigan and Sunderland are games we can't afford to lose but our owners believe it makes more sense to go in to them without a manager? FFS all Gamechanger have achieved is shattering team morale and ending what was left of the fans feel-good factor! Unless they have a master stroke up their sleeve, replacing Cook with Harris or any other of the names currently in the frame will be a total joke.

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Zondervanromeo added 23:14 - Dec 10 am sure he wouldn't make the same mistakes again ? also he could sort out this muddle ? along with righting his wrongs from last time ! think he still has a house in suffolk !!!
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Saxonblue74 added 23:54 - Dec 10 ZR, come on now, that's enough. A joke's a joke but enough now, people are going to start thinking you're serious!!
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Ipswichbusiness added 10:23 - Dec 11 First, I suspect that contrary to the line being put out, candidates were at least sounded out before the sacking. Second, as has been remarked above, we are a League One club. That limits our choice so the likes of Allardyce and Lampard are unlikely to come. That said, Terry would be quite interesting. It would be a good job for him as a start to his career. However, I would only want him if he came with an experienced assistant.

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telpajak added 22:29 - Dec 11 Definitely a no from me and the little bloke next door to me goodnight!! We need to search hard and long for this one! Twenty years of hurt!
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