Alan Curbishley: Amazed to be in the running

The former Charlton boss is considered one of the favourites to succeed Paul Jewell who left Portman Road by mutual consent on Wednesday.

Chief executive Simon Clegg has already revealed he has made contact with potential replacements from "a long list of about 34 names".

The 54-year-old Curbishley, out of work since his West Ham exit in 2008, told Sky Sports: "I am amazed when you look at the betting and I am up there with the frontrunners.

"Ipswich have been inundated with a lot of people who would like the job and they've got a very important decision to make.

"The last two to three years has been been tough and they've been in decline. They now have to take their time and sift through the people that are available and come up with the right person.

"I am available obviously and if they want to talk to me I will talk to them."

Ex-Ipswich manager George Burley, Alan Shearer, Mick McCarthy have all been mentioned as possibilities, while Jewell has said he would like the caretaker boss Chris Hutchings handed the reins.