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

TB42 added 15:20 - May 23 Whether we like it, our beloved game is now firmly underpinned by big business..... Big business is dynamic, it is ever changing and you often have to be flexible in your approach and sometimes act quickly, if you want to achieve your objectives. This is not rocket science it is fact. As previously stated in another post - Mr. EVANS has known about the managerial vacancy for sometime. Certainly much longer than most other clubs (Sunderland, Stoke and WBA) who have parted company with previous incumbents and now made successive appointments. To set such a long time scale with the playing field changing all around you on a daily basis is arguably naive. Unless there is a rabbit up his sleeve, methinks we will very much end up with second best. The simple reality, despite our views of our great club, is that there are many other clubs out there with apparently more to offer than us ....

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blueheartXT added 15:44 - May 23 I see the numbskulls are our in force
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blueboy1981 added 15:54 - May 23 Give Evans a break you impatient people - anyone would think we are potentially missing out on the best Manager in the whole world - this one's portfolio is nothing to get terribly excited about. It's Scottish Football remember after all, what he does have. GET A GRIP. This is an important appointment, give the Owner some credit in finding, then appointing the right one this time.

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raycrawfordswig added 16:10 - May 23 Calm down Mick McCarthy is coming back with the Pope as director of football.
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blueboy1981 added 16:18 - May 23 Forget all this sh*te - and get two people in who really want the job - Burley / Butcher. At this time a no brainer on a two year contract, option of a third - thus hitting the ground running next season. NO RISK - HIGH POTENTIAL. Think about it ... !!
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runningout added 16:53 - May 23 it's amazing how things change when interest in shown by other clubs. Suddenly he's the obvious choice haha
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runningout added 16:55 - May 23 then Hurst will be wanted by Derby :-)
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stiffy501 added 18:30 - May 23 Nigel Clough ?
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stiffy501 added 18:43 - May 23 Paul Lambert ? Japp Stam ? Go and talk to the Dutchman Mr Evans
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lightingblue added 21:44 - May 23 Don't ask my but I've a feeling that Evans already at the club for the first team. His just playing cat and mouse
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SuffolkPunch70 added 09:51 - May 24 GARY WHITE'S BARMY ARMY !! Just practising...........
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hockleyblue added 11:24 - May 24 JOKE AS ALWAYS. WHEN WILL WE LEARN.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hockleyblue added 11:25 - May 24 JOKE AS ALWAYS. WHEN WILL WE LEARN.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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happybeingblue added 18:09 - May 24 if he did not want to come here i am glad we did not get him,not interested in a manager who is coming here for the wrong reasons
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