Hibernian boss Tony Mowbray has ruled himself out of the running for the Portman Road manager's job. The SPL club have released a statement outlining the former Town skipper and coach's position.

The statement reads: "Hibernian FC can confirm that manager Tony Mowbray has ruled himself out of contention for the vacant managerial post at Ipswich Town FC.

"The manager returned today from two days in Paris to take in the UEFA Champions League final and today moved to clarify his position."

The Blues had asked - and had apparently been granted - permission to speak to the 42-year-old, who was amongst their targets to replace Joe Royle.

Mowbray has always been understood to prefer a return to Middlesbrough rather than Town and if he doesn't get the call to the Riverside this summer may be prepared to wait until the next time the job becomes vacant.

Town chairman David Sheepshanks and chief executive Derek Bowden are in London today for the second of five days of interviews.

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