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

nhabo added 13:34 - May 23 Haven't seen this story on a proper news outlet yet. Will wait until he's done his first Sunderland press conference before believing this one.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:36 - May 23 If this was done under the radar then maybe a bullet dodged. Let's see who we end up with first. Sunderland was always going to appeal to Ross as it's much closer to home and a huge clubs who fans turned out week in week out despite their dire season. They all left at half time each week but that's not my point
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Alfie added 13:36 - May 23 I always wanted Hurst anyway BUT this is worrying that ME might be taking too long and we might lose out on all preferred targets and end up with 2nd best
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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:38 - May 23 There has been no contact from Sunderland with us and Jack is on holiday so unless there is some major skulduggery going on then it's nonsense. "To hold talks with Jack, we would have to grant permission, as has been the case with Ipswich and Barnsley recently. "But we've had no contact from Sunderland at all."
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Cageyblue added 13:43 - May 23 I'm no Evans fan but i can't believe people are slagging him off for this. He allegedly had two interviews with Ross and must have discussed wages at some point. If this story is true and Ross had increased his wages 500% there is no way we are going to compete with that. On top of this their owner was recently interviewed and stated that the new manager would have a huge war chest, one that championship clubs would like to have. Sorry but i can't see that this is Evans fault this time.

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itfcgene added 13:44 - May 23 "To hold talks with Jack, there we would have to grant permission, but we've had no contact from Sunderland at all."
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itfcgene added 13:45 - May 23 Over to you TWTD
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Burley4ever added 13:46 - May 23 Just noticed BBC have taken the story of Ross going to Sunderland off their main news feed and that St Mirren chairman says it's a load of crap as Sunderland should have approached him first and they haven't!!
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bluearmy78 added 13:46 - May 23 Obviously Sunderland's new consortium have blown our bid out of the water & Sunderland is a lot closer to Scotland than Ipswich which is probably more appealing to his family. Now if Hurst is actually our desired number 1 choice for the job we can now negotiate a great package to lure him away from Shrewsbury. No disrespect to Shrewsbury & even if they get promoted on Sunday we are a bigger club & I firmly believe that it would be a step up for Hurst. We just can't delay come Sunday, we don't want to end up with a Manager who wasn't really in Evans plan!

2

TR11BLU added 13:46 - May 23 Get a grip the lot of you. A manager who has succeeded at a second rate club in a pub league, yet most on here think he is the second coming. We will go in to next season with the right man at the helm, until then, enjoy the sun...
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BigAlsMate added 13:46 - May 23 After all the excitement and optimism for the new season, if true this really does feel like a kick in the teeth - because I am sure if given the choice, Hurst would almost certainly choose Derby or someone similar over us, to be honest. I am really feeling pessimistic right now!!
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shortmarine1969 added 13:48 - May 23 Got to be honest Sunderland is the better option for him.! Closer to home , bigger fan base , more wages , more transfer kitty (one that will dwarf other clubs including champ clubs) they have just been taken over and all debt taken to zero.! Has ME dithered ?? seems like it a bit but we dont know for sure , but if we did want him and have lost out because of waiting for what Hurst has to say is poor.!

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TheTrueBlue1878 added 13:49 - May 23 Stated last week Hurst remains my No.1 target. Although Ross has done a magnificent job at st.mirren in Scottish league 1. That's all he's done. No doubt would have taken Ross but Hurst I've always felt is a better suit to Town, he's been involved in 7 promotion campaigns, earnt his stripes the right way coming back through the ranks in the English game. And does the right things always on a small budget, he would most definitely be my first choice for Town.

6

Skip73 added 13:50 - May 23 We've been talking to Ross for over a week and fail to land him, Sunderland only linked 2 days ago but agree terms. We are such a weak lily livered club. We will end up with Pardew or Holloway at this rate.
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sirburley added 13:50 - May 23 I'm probably going to be in the minority here but I'm actually glad about this news. I honestly can't see the big excitement about a Scottish championship manager being our next manager. Yes he has done a good job but let's face it it's not the hardest league in the world to get out of. Think he may be out of his depth in the championship.
5

Pilgrimblue added 13:51 - May 23 We can't keep everyone on hold with so many clubs looking. Not sure if ME has included Potter but he'd be high on my list. Trouble is Shrewsbury may win play-off so they could easily offer Hurst better terms. May see Coleman come into the frame plus the BB dream team or maybe a complete surprise!
2

Europablue added 13:52 - May 23 We really don't know what is going on. We may have offered Ross the job, Hurst may be very interested in coming to us. Ross may have liked the idea at starting at a lower level of football, he may have liked the idea of staying closer to home. Hurst was my number one target to start with, but I was swayed by what I heard about Ross, but that was because it was all quiet on the Hurst front.

1

suffolkpunch1978 added 13:53 - May 23 Nice one Evans, well done......ffs
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Bildestoned added 13:53 - May 23 I'm disappointed over this news although once Sunderland + cash appeared that was pretty much game over. My dodgy prediction of 'young foreign coach' is beginning to have legs again!
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Europablue added 13:53 - May 23 Does that leave us hoping Shrewsbury lose?
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leftie1972 added 13:54 - May 23 F knew it!😩aaaaaaarrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhh.
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leftie1972 added 13:56 - May 23 We need some transparency from the club now as to WHY this hunter happened for us. And real honesty please, not spin.
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GlebeTractor added 13:59 - May 23 I'd have taken Darren Moore from WBA. He has the full time vacancy now though, looked great the last 1/4 of the season
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naa added 14:01 - May 23 All our eggs now in the Hurst basket. He's my preferred option but the chances of him coming here are far from certain. If he doesn't work out, there seem to be pretty slim pickings after that.
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robmonkey007 added 14:02 - May 23 Are people that unrealistic???? We can compete with Sunderland with what they've achieved in the recent years compared to us. Bigger budgets, greater stadium and even better location for Ross to pop up to bonnie Scotland. Come on guys be realistic! Not sure Hurst fits the bill. Need some experience to come in.
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