Town’s search for a new manager took a dramatic twist today with news that Sunderland have agreed terms with Jack Ross, a long-term Blues target.

The St Mirren boss is moving south of the border to take charge of the newly-relegated Black Cats and spearhead their quest to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking, in a move that will reportedly see his wages rocket by 500 per cent.

But where does this leave Town, who were thought to be closing in on Mick McCarthy’s successor and had 41-year-old Ross, crowned Scotland’s Manager of the Year, firmly in their thoughts after he was twice interviewed for the post?

The bookies have installed Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst, 43, as firm favourite to take charge at Portman Road — but he is currently attending to business with the Shrews ahead of Sunday’s League One play-off final against Rotherham at Wembley.

Hurst’s credentials are impressive — he has won promotion at previous clubs Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby — but the situation is anything but clear-cut with Derby County also looking for a new manager following Gary Rowett’s move to Stoke yesterday.

Having lost out on Ross, however, Town owner Marcus Evans will be determined not to see Hurst also lured elsewhere and talks between the two are likely to follow Sunday’s game, regardless of the outcome.

News of Ross’ appointment at Sunderland will disappoint a large number of Town fans, who saw him as the best option to succeed McCarthy but feared the amount of time that elapsed following initial contact with the young Scot might prove costly.

Photo: Allan Picken

matty81 added 13:13 - May 23 Absolutely Gutted we couldn't get Jack Ross as he is a top class manager in the making who will be managing Scotland at some point. Very highly rated and watching his interviews he is superb with the media and the fans. Would be interested to see how he copes if he goes through a bad spell. Putting all our eggs in the Hurst basket is dangerous as we are not the only Championship club looking for the next up and coming manager.

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AbujaBlue added 13:13 - May 23 Sunderland did this under the radar without asking St Mirren for permission to begin talks. Their chairman is fuming...
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Barty added 13:13 - May 23 I think that ME will be spot on when he appoints Paul Hurst at the end of the month
2

ajs83 added 13:14 - May 23 All the so called favourites are dropping like flies, what happens if Hurst goes to Derby? Could we end up with someone like Parker? Wouldn't be my first choice but I'd rather have him than someone like Coleman/Sherwood/Pardew.
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mathiemagic added 13:14 - May 23 Got to say I am a bit disappointed. I can only think Hurst must be on the radar but that all depends on the Shrews on Sunday. Beat Rotherham and he will stay with them. Apart from the usual Merry-go round managers who else could we get in if the young up and coming is the preferred mantra?. My fear is a panic appointment when the "Eggs in one managerial basket" goes belly up as it has already started to do with Ross.

5

Ipswich24 added 13:14 - May 23 We always miss out. Because simple reason trying do things on cheap. Mess off Evans we all wanted Ross and have lost out to league one side!
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Bergholtblue added 13:15 - May 23 I always thought that Hurst was the first choice, but if we don't get him, where does this leave us? May have to pay Lampard his inflated wage demands.
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itfc48 added 13:17 - May 23 Hurst is certainly less of a risk than Ross. Yes Ross took a team from bottom of the league to the top but the quality of the league has a lot to be desired with a couple of teams not even being full-time. His agent has certainly played a blinder making people believe he is some kind of messiah.
2

itfcitk added 13:18 - May 23 I'm not ITK but told you this wouldn't happen Monday!
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keighleyblue added 13:20 - May 23 Derby is a lot nearer to home for Hurst, as well...
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toxtethblue added 13:20 - May 23 Told you. Shrews will go up and Hurst will stay. Still you won't see any fault in Evans though as you were all conned by the spinterview.
5

GlebeTractor added 13:23 - May 23 St Mirrans owner has came out saying its BS.
1

Len_Brennan added 13:24 - May 23 The idea that desirable managerial options would not attract interest from other club's, while we wait to interview everyone more than once, was never likely. Other clubs will definitely be looking at Hurst too & even more so if he gets Shrewsbury up. Hurst has been my number 1 option since the start, but if Ross had impressed well enough he should have been offered the job (assuming he hasn't) rather than being left hanging while we waiting for Hurst's unfinished business. It is key managerial change time of year for goodness sake. If Evans hasn't gotten some positive vibes from Hurst already (legally or otherwise), we may well find ourselves in a very tricky situation this time next week.

4

TBT added 13:25 - May 23 Marcus Evans has never once entered into an open forum Q&A session and his recent pithy and empty political “interview” was totally contrived with pre-set questions. He doesn't even attend the end of season dinner. It's not because he doesn't want the profile, it is because he would be quickly revealed as utterly clueless. ITFC are the 37th subsidiary of the ME Group in terms of profitability and he simply doesn't care, nor does he have any idea what to do.

3

OriginalMarkyP added 13:25 - May 23 I hear Mick Mccarthy is free...
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toxtethblue added 13:25 - May 23 ME, never fails to disappoint...
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MrJase77 added 13:25 - May 23 This is very disappointing (if true). I'm off to eat my humble pie now (possibly).
2

essextractorboy93 added 13:26 - May 23 This is an absolute disgrace, we all saw this situation coming. Ross would have joined us had he been offered the job, but instead Evans risks it and now we risk losing Hurst too. If we appoint someone like Grayson or Sherwood then all the good feeling of the last few weeks will have been destroyed. Shambles!
4

cromwellblue added 13:26 - May 23 Interesting. St Mirren denying contact. The BBC article also fails to refer to him by name in the quotes from Sunderland. Just says "the man in question...." So is it a done deal? This was always a risk given the wait needed to speak to Hurst. But whilst there is the normal outrage I would say the most common comment on here recently has been "Prefer Hurst but this guy would be OK". So you'd be happy to keep him in reserve and happily reject him if Hurst says Yes. So if this is true then you can't blame him for taking certainty over maybe. There may yet be surprises in store.......

7

Carberry added 13:27 - May 23 Moving quickly is key to all these appointments and Evans hasn't. Has Hurst promised he's coming? If not he's in a very strong position now and can name his price. Personally I liked the look of Ross.
6

Burley4ever added 13:27 - May 23 Why would Ross go to a side religated to League 1 when he could have taken over a mid table side in the Championship?? Because he feels imo that he's not ready for a big step up hence Sunderland plus he's nearer home. If all fails with Hurst Burley/Butcher may not be so bad!!!
3

blueinscotland added 13:28 - May 23 Gutted if we do miss out on Ross, think he ticks all the boxes in terms of the type of manager we should be looking at. Disappointing that he'd rather go to a team in a division below us, but I suppose at the end of the day money talks. Fingers crossed for Hurst although seems we may face competition for him too. Can't remember the last time there has been so many managerial vacancies in the English leagues!

1

nysully added 13:29 - May 23 Hate to say it but the location of our beloved club does not help either, suspect being the the northeast appealed to the Scot as well and we cannot outspend Sunderland (or anyone really).
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Surco72 added 13:29 - May 23 League 1 is probably the right level for Ross , never played or managed higher
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bluemonday added 13:32 - May 23 oh dear oh dear oh dear !!!!!!!!
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