Ipswich Town have opened negotiations with BlueCo over potentially appointing Strasbourg’s Gary O’Neil as their new boss.
Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this week that the 43-year-old had emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Kieran McKenna who left the Premier League new boys earlier this month – citing need to take a rest after five years in charge.
Talks have begun over O’Neil’s potential release but Ipswich are still to make their formal offer.
And Strasbourg have yet to receive an official approach.
O’Neil guided Strasbourg to eighth in the French top flight last season after taking over from Liam Rosenior who has also pitched for the vacancy at Portman Road.
Having replaced Rosenior, O’Neil took Strasbourg to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Gary O’Neil is edging closer to a move to newly promoted Ipswich Town six months after joining Ligue 1 side Strasbourg
He previously coached Wolves and Bournemouth where he worked on less resources than Ipswich had on their last spell in the top flight. He has also masterminded victories over Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham during his managerial career and earned plaudits for his possession style of play.
Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton, asked if McKenna’s replacement would have to have Premier League experience, replied: ‘If you look at my history of recruiting managers I’m proud that I give British managers their first opportunity, whether that’s Aidy Boothroyd, Brendan Rodgers (both at Watford), Kieran McKenna – all of who went on to be very successful.
‘Is it impossible to do that this time around? It’s not impossible, but it’s far more difficult.’
O’Neil was the first Englishman to take a team to a European semi final since Roy Hodgson at Fulham and the first Englishman to do it with a foreign club this century (since Bobby Robson at Barcelona).
It was also the first time Strasbourg had reached a European semi final.
Can YOU master Craig Hope’s World Cup quiz? Test your knowledge HERE
