Prospective new Town boss Paul Hurst remained tight-lipped on his future following his Shrewsbury side's 2-1 extra-time defeat by Rotherham, who featured on-loan Blues right-back Josh Emmanuel, in this afternoon’s League One play-off final at Wembley.

Asked about his anticipated move to the Blues in a post-match Sky Sports interview, the 43-year-old said: “That’s been rumbling on for a while, as I’ve been linked with a couple of other ones as well. I don’t think it’s really the time.

“I appreciate you’re doing your job, but I don’t really want to pass comment on that, I’m still very much hurting from what I’ve just seen.”

Quizzed further on whether he intended to speak to the Blues by the BBC, Hurst added: "I can't speak to them as I don't know whether they want to. If there's anything in that, there has to be an approach.

"I said right from the start that I'm ambitious, and I'm flattered to be linked with clubs like that.

"But I've been linked at various points all season and I'm still here at the minute. Let's see what happens.

"At this moment in time I'm only interested in the players. I've got some of them to speak to with regard to next season - and that's not nice.

"We've just lost a final and a couple of them are going to get some news that's not great, but that's part of being a manager."

The Millers were the better side throughout this afternoon’s game with veteran defender Richard Wood, a Blues target during Jim Magilton’s time as boss, netting the opening goal in the first half and the winner in extra-time, having won an early penalty which was saved, all from set pieces.

The Shrews’ high point was a well-worked freekick which led to Alex Rodman grabbing their second-half equaliser.

👌 When the hard work on the training ground pays off.

👏 Well played @shrewsweb. #salop #FeelEveryEmotion pic.twitter.com/wmC9erOaQX– Sky Bet (@SkyBet) May 27, 2018

Emmanuel, 20, who recently carried off Rotherham's Young Player of the Season award, had a very solid game and will have impressed opposition boss Hurst, who appears all but certain to be his manager when he returns to Suffolk for the start of pre-season at the end of June.

Town will hold formal talks with Hurst and Shrewsbury in the week ahead having kept their distance during the Shropshire side’s play-off endeavours.

However, it’s long been understood that they have been given a strong indication that negotiations will progress positively and barring a late hitch Hurst looks set to be named Town manager later this week.

Those talks with Blues owner Marcus Evans seem unlikely to take place face to face with Hurst, who is understood to be on a rolling contract with the Shrews, flying to Dubai for a delayed family holiday on Monday.

Photo: Action Images

budgieplucker added 21:03 - May 27 As per my post on an earlier thread Shrewsbury have scored 32 goals at home this season compared to Rotherham's 45. I am not suggesting that Hurst shouldn't be considered but from what I have seen from Shrewsbury this year they don't appear to try and play an expansive game. I think Hurst is much closer to an MM than say Ross or Warne who I honestly think is worth considering. I still feel Stein could bring something different to the club which is what I think we require.

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blueboy1981 added 21:23 - May 27 Cannot believe that so many are so excitable about this Hurst 'prospect' - bringing into some kind of perspective- What has he really achieved ? I was not at all impressed with the Shrewsbury team today, or their motivation. Mitigating circumstances are that they have played many games, and it's been a long season for them, and it's it's in the melting pot as to if their Manager will be with them next season - but Rotherham were the team that looked really up for it. What has Hurst really achieved that Warne hasn't ? - and until perhaps now, not a mention of him being anywhere near our framework. Hurst would be a huge gamble for our Club right now, he would not hit the ground running, and I'm not at all sure he would be right for us to be honest. I say again Burley / Butcher combination, for us right now, would be the right, and proper choice for our Club.

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midastouch added 21:33 - May 27 I'm not totally convinced about Hurst either but if we do take him I'll certainly give him the benefit of the doubt and be more than happy to be proven wrong should he come up trumps next season. I just haven't seen enough of him to be sure what he'll bring to the table. Can't really judge him on one game today but I'm not sure if it's a gamble that will pay off. My gut is telling me it might not be a match made in heaven but hopefully my gut is wrong and Hurst does the business should he be appointed. If he gets the job he'll get my full support. Not sure why I'm not quite sure about it. Can't really put my finger on it. Hopefully we'll be top of the league by Xmas and all doubts will have been washed away! We can but dream! Whoever it will be will be! COYB!

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Elto added 21:39 - May 27 Warne is a Norwich fan. He won't be coming here. Ever.
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midastouch added 21:41 - May 27 When I read the pieces from Gary White and George Burley in the EADT my gut said this is the way to go. I've not heard anything from Hurst as yet that makes me think he's the man to get us back on track. But that is a bit unfair on him as I've barely heard the guy speak so guess I need to give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he's got. Whoever we get is going to be a gamble. We might get lucky, we might not, one thing is for sure and that is we're about to roll the dice and find out. Hold tight folks, soon we could be in heaven or we might be in hell! Come Xmas we'll have a much better clue as to whether this is a calculated gamble that shows signs of paying off. Fingers crossed folks! COYB!!!

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TimmyH added 22:07 - May 27 Have to agree with Blueboy on this one, although Hurst is 'young' which a lot of people seem to be getting carried away with I'd rather have a Butcher/Burley combo than him as well...I know both have been out of the game for a while but have true love for the club, would bring back bums on seats and give it 101% - I believe less of a risk than Hurst.
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:17 - May 27 Burley and Butcher for me all the way. Appoint them and we will have a legendary season next year.
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:23 - May 27 In total agreement with blueboy. Hurst is young but has no links to the club and is a gamble whilst Burley and Butcher would bring that fighting spirit back. If I was a player, I'd rather have Burley and Butcher also, immediate maximum respect. There isn't anything Burley doesn't know about the game and tactically he always knows how to get the best out of the team and each player.

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sheddy71 added 22:27 - May 27 can't believe that people are still going on about burley/butcher they haven't been interviewed nor appear to be in the running! Although I have not seen Shrewsbury play before today I think it is harsh to judge on one game. If people were to judge Villa after their play off final they would have said they were poor however they had beaten Ipswich 4-0 away only a couple of weeks earlier, we can't judge from one game and the fact shrewsbury finished third with 87 points shows that they clearly are not a bad side! COYB

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bluesince76 added 22:41 - May 27 Burley and butcher for me as well perfect fit would not be unhappy with Hurst also liked what white had to say and steijn was interesting.
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:42 - May 27 Hurst seems to be the one Evans has hung on for, but I wouldn't offer a long contract to start with, I have a nagging doubt that he is up to Championship level. I don't really see why so many are clambering to see him appointed to be honest, wondering if it is just a reaction to the early candidates such as Pardew and the likes.
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BrettenhamBlue added 22:48 - May 27 Surprised we have not already appointed Burley and Butcher. Clearly Hurst is ME's number 1 target but can't help feeling that we are missing the obvious, Burley and butcher and we'd be top 8 for sure next season.
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LWNR2013 added 22:53 - May 27 Back to the future .... only in the movies!
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budgieplucker added 23:36 - May 27 Hurst has a reputation of taking non league players and turning them into good performers in the football league. Unfortunately many of these players have grown up in playing the game in a very mono style way almost pragmatic in style. This is what is attractive to ME because it saves lots of cash. Klug and other coaches have been moulding a style that runs throughout the rest of the club outside of the first team. It has then be a foreign environment for the younger players coming into the first team forced to play a more pragmatic style. I personally worry about the Hurst appointment and would go to the extent that Scott Parker would be a better appointment with his Spurs and Fulham background having been drilled in systems that really play the game more aligned to our heritage from the Robson era then picked up by John Lysol after the disastrous boring appointment of John Duncan (I just fear parallels here if Hurst is appointed). I think Parker will work well with Klug and the systems already in play and will try and develop a more educated type of game. I know I will be marked down for this next comment but I think Sherwood would be a better appointment than Hurst.

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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 23:47 - May 27 BudgiePlucker is spot on. Hurst's style of football mirrors MM's so he'd be a safe appointment. Info to support BudgiePlucker https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/sheffield-wednes
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bobble added 23:48 - May 27 who is the rotherham manager ? he is the one we need...
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 23:50 - May 27 Paul Warne. Norwich fan. Unlikely to come here. More chance of reappointing MM.
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 23:56 - May 27 My preferred order now: Parker and Sherwood Burley and Butcher Hurst and Doig. I firmly do believe that Hurst and Doig will be appointed though. Style of football: very similar to MM. Works well on a tight budget and up and coming Manager, just hope the appointment pays off.
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budgieplucker added 00:39 - May 28 I accept that in a tough league like the championship there has to be at times tactical acumen applied and elements of pragmatism. Man for man when we last got promoted to the Premiership we were every bodies favourites to go straight down but we played some terrific football that year I remember passing West Ham off he pitch one evening and Poalo Di Canio giving us enormous praise for our football. For most of that season it didn't appear that we were punching above our weight but playing a confident brand of football that didn't show too much respect to the opposition. I don't want to create a new regime that is praised for punching above its weight in the Championship. I want a manager who wants to play a confident brand of football that shows a lot more technical acumen than we have seen of late, develop a team that is more confident in its style and whilst being aware of the attributes of the opposition not to become obssesed with them and not to pay them too much respect. My fear is that Hurst is not the man to deliver this. @BcarefulwhatUWish4 I must admit I hadn't thought of pairing Sherwood with Parker it is a very interesting combination and they will have both worked together at Spurs and indeed with Klug who would have also been at Spurs at the same time. We shouldn't let ourselves totally be obsessed with the fashionable phrase of young, hungry and up and coming. We need somebody who is determined to introduce a style that is in keeping with a philosophy that is sympathetic to our heritage. Dare I say even Mark Warburton would be a lot loser to this than Paul Hurst

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Adrian_Paz added 01:02 - May 28 Before the game it seemed many were worried Hurst wouldn't want to come if Shrewsbury won and got promoted. Now the kneejerk negativity rears it's head because Shrewsbury underperformed and lost, with people saying Hurst is not up to it. How can we dismiss all of his previous work on one game? For all we know nerves may have played a big part with their players. The best team won but Shrewsbury were never expected to even reach the playoffs yet alone come close to automatic so he has worked wonders with them. He may or may not be the answer for town, none of us can know for sure, but if he is chosen let's get fully behind the appointment and give him our full backing. We are not in a position to take our pick of any manager, and there is a always going to be a risk whoever comes in but it's a risk we needed to take as McCarthy had to go. The feel good factor can return this year and us fans can play a big part in that. The support and understanding shown to Klug and co in the final games was outstanding, so lets continue that into the new season under the new management team.

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GiveusaWave added 01:24 - May 28 I'm not totally convinced by Hurst either but feel that he will be appointed. Like many others have suggested I would like to see Burley back at PR; or alternatively the Parker/Sherwood combination put forward by @Bcarefulwhatuwish4.... One massive advantage to Hurst is that the players wouldn't need to radically change the way they operate (though in the 3 games I've seen Shrewsbury play I have noticed that they don't often get the keeper to kick it straight up the pitch...it's often knocked out to wing-backs first who then do that). So, transfer activity would be minimised as there is no real need to bring in anyone radically different. This might well play out as an advantage as suddenly asking Skuse to be a dribbler and shooter etc might not work out so well. We also wouldn't need to spend hefty sums in the transfer market. Hurst is also very used to dealing with frees and loans. If you look at his dealings in the last year he brought in 8 loan players and signed at least 8 players on free transfers (seems more though sites differ on this info). So he may well be more suited to our club than Parker or Burley (who may well want to spend money).

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robpontin added 03:19 - May 28 I really believe there has been something already discussed for Evans to wait so long and lose other managers i think Hurst said if they lose he will have contract talks if they win he will return evaluate the situation knowing this Evans has waited for his man in my mind the right man Hurst has been my number 1 choice let's hope anounment next week
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Ploarbear1 added 04:17 - May 28 Where have people got the Parker/Sherwood combo from? They were interviewed independently weren't they? Haven't seen any indication that they would come as a team. If Hurst is appointed (fingers crossed) let's get behind him. No need to draw McCarthy comparisons before he's even stepped through the door!
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harlingblue added 04:43 - May 28 Shrewsbury Town played over 60 games this year, with Hurst in charge, ran out of steam in the latter stages, when it really mattered. Takes me back to the Bobby Robson days at Ipswich, when going for the FA Cup, knocked out in the Semi Final, League Title, finished runners up and the UEFA Cup, the latter we did achieve. Different team, but similar scenario?
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 04:50 - May 28 budgieplucker: If it's not Hurst, Scott Parker, yes. Sherwood NO!
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