IPSWICH target Colin Calderwood is the new manager of Nottingham Forest.The Northampton boss confirmed today that he had accepted the job and told Town of his decision.

By Mel Henderson

IPSWICH target Colin Calderwood is the new manager of Nottingham Forest.

The Northampton boss confirmed today that he had accepted the job and told Town of his decision.

Speaking exclusively to The Evening Star, the 41-year-old Scot said: “I was offered the job over the weekend and I have accepted.

“I put a call in to Ipswich yesterday to tell them I had made my decision. Things have moved very quickly in the past week or so.”

Calderwood ended a distinguished playing career at Forest after also turning out for Mansfield, Swindon, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

He twice interrupted a family holiday in Dubai to speak to Ipswich and Forest before making his decision.

Calderwood added: “I had an interview with Ipswich and they said they would be getting back to me.

“But Forest made an approach to Northampton and

were also given permission to speak to me and after doing that I decided that was where I would be going.”

It will come as a massive blow to Ipswich that Calderwood, who won promotion from League Two with the Cobblers last season, has opted for another club one level down from the Championship.

Town's first move was to seek permission from neighbours Colchester to speak to Phil Parkinson, which was denied.

They then approached Hibernian and were given the go-ahead to speak to ex-captain and first team coach Tony Mowbray, but he was quick to declare his intention to stay put.

After today's dramatic news, Town will now switch their search for Joe Royle's replacement elsewhere, with ex-skipper Jim Magilton now looking favourite to take charge.

West Bromwich Albion assistant boss Nigel Pearson was interviewed for the job, but Ipswich decided against pursuing their interest in him.

Calderwood then looked to be the front-runner, but Forest's raid has changed all that and the quest to find Portman Road's 12th manager in 70 years is likely to move into a fourth week.

Chairman David Sheepshanks is adamant that he and his fellow directors will not be rushed.

He told the club's website: “We have conducted extensive interviews with a number of high calibre candidates and have now narrowed our search down and expect to narrow it further over the coming week.

“Some of the candidates who have been interviewed have been told it will not be taken any further while others have ruled themselves out of the job, but that has not thrown us off track.

“The appointment of a new manager is the single most important job that a football club chairman and the board of directors can undertake.

“It is of paramount importance to us all that we make the right selection and to that extent I am comfortable with the fact that we are taking our time.”

But it seems the delay has cost Ipswich the option of appointing Calderwood, who has been identified as one of the rising stars of management.

Ex-QPR boss Ian Holloway is also in the running for the job along with current assistant boss Willie Donachie, who was quick to declare his interest after Royle's exit on May 11.

Young bosses like Kenny Jackett (Swansea), Brian Laws (Scunthorpe) and Paul Simpson (Carlisle) have also been linked with Ipswich.