Shrewsbury Town are on the verge of naming a new manager – but the club remained tight-lipped over exactly who it might be.
As the Chronicle went to press, Graham Turner remained a hot tip to return to his former club as their new boss.
However, while confirming that a press conference would be held at 10am tomorrow (Friday), Town vice-chairman Keith Sayfritz refused to comment on the potential identity of the new manager.
He said: “The board have taken their time to look at the applications and are confident they have chosen the right person.
“The quality of names applying for the job shows how far the club has come over recent years.”
A statement on the club website said: “Shrewsbury Town Football Club will be holding a press conference on 11th June 2010 at 10am to announce the appointment of our new manager.”
Several contenders have been linked with the job but former Town player and manager Turner has been strongly tipped to return to the club where he made a real name for himself in the 1970s and 1980s.
Turner, 62, is now potentially available after cutting his links with Hereford United by selling his shares at the end of last week.
Others linked to the Town job following the departure of Paul Simpson include Jim Gannon, Alan Knill, Paul Sturrock and Mark Venus while former defender Mike Jackson, who retired from playing earlier this year, has also been touted as having a role to play in the future.
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury could be facing Premier League opposition during their pre-season programme. Newly promoted Blackpool have been handed a wild card for the South West Challenge Cup, which also includes Town.
Blackpool join 12 other teams competing in the annual tournament in north Devon from Monday, July 19 to Sunday, July 25.
Both Blackpool and Shrewsbury are likely to be seeded for the round robin stages. That means Town would almost certainly have to progress from their qualifying group to have a chance of taking on Ian Holloway’s promoted side.
By John Bridgwater