‘Not the right fit at the right time’- former Ipswich target Ross on links prior to taking Sunderland job

Ross was interviewed twice for the Ipswich Town job. Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

Former Ipswich Town managerial target Jack Ross has insisted his move to Sunderland is ‘the right fit at the right time’.

The Scot was unveiled at the Stadium of Light yesterday having previously been interviewed twice by the Blues for the managerial role ultimately filled by new Blues boss Paul Hurst.

Ross was one of four candidates to reach the final stages of Marcus Evans’ search for a new manager but was appointed by Sunderland before that process was completed, with the Blues owner insisting Hurst remained his first choice throughout.

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Former St Mirren boss, Ross, who also held talks over the Barnsley job earlier this year, did not address the situation with Ipswich directly, but said previous opportunities he may have had did not feel right prior to his move to Wearside.

“I think there was no real rush to leave the job I was in and it was a new experience for me because, having enjoyed a period of success, it probably presented me with opportunities earlier than I might have imagined,” he said.

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“I didn’t feel as if any of them were the right fit at the right time. This, from the outside, felt a little bit like it - however I was aware of some of the circumstances around the club in recent times.

New Derby County manager Frank Lampard during the press conference at Pride Park Stadium. Picture PA (Image: PA Wire)

“So then, when Stewart (Donald) and Charlie (Methven, owners) spoke to me, they presented the vision that was consistent with what I’d done at previous clubs and felt like the right opportunity at the right time.”

Ross said he was attracted to the Sunderland job by the clean slate on offer, following relegation to League One and a change of ownership at the Black Cats.

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He said: “I think the appeal of Sunderland as a club is big in general when you mention some of the managers that have been here and the profile they’ve had, both as players and as managers. But, I think that timing of it was really key and that was probably one of the biggest pulls for me.

“The opportunity to try and put my own stamp on things, from the playing side and then try and influence the relationship between the club, the supporters and the playing side in general.”