MICK McCarthy will become the next manager of Ipswich Town tomorrow.

Developments within the last two hours have seen Town finalise a deal for the ex-Wolves and Republic of Ireland boss, with the no-nonsense Yorkshireman set to be unveiled at a press conference tomorrow afternoon.

At 6.30pm this evening, Blues chief executive Simon Clegg told this newspaper that the club would ‘not rush’ their decision.

He said: “We’ve interviewed a number of candidates and the process is ongoing. I have always said that the key is getting the right man, in an ideal world they’d be in before the weekend (before Saturday’s match at Birmingham) but if it takes longer then so be it.

“This is not a short-term fix, it’s a critically important appointment and there’s little point in rushing it just for the sake of having someone in post. That said, good progress is being made and I’m hopeful that we will be in a position to make an announcement over the coming days.”

Events have developed rapidly since then and the EADT and Ipswich Star understands that some potential stumbling blocks have been resolved. We have, however, been told that reports regarding a �1 million bonus for avoiding relegation are wide of the mark.

Former Blues skipper Matt Holland is unlikely to join his former international manager in the backroom staff, with McCarthy’s ex-Wolves assistant Terry Connor having been offered the role of No.2.

The EADT and Ipswich Star understand that negotiations with Blackpool boss Ian Holloway took place in the last few days, while owner Marcus Evans tried to convince close confidant Harry Redknapp to take the job.