Five potential candidates to be the new Shrewsbury Town head coach

A 2-1 defeat at Salford City on Saturday afternoon was enough for chairman Roland Wycherley to decide enough is enough, and Hurst lost his job after two wins in 19. 

Town have a huge relegation six-pointer at Burton Albion next weekend and they are currently without a boss - so who would be a good fit for the Shrewsbury job? 

Dino Maamria

One of the first names to jump out is Maamria, the former Burton Albion and Oldham boss. 

The Tunisian was assistant to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at the Pirelli Stadium until the Dutchman was sacked in September 2022. 

Maamria took over after Burton took one point from their first eight League One games. 

But the 53-year-old won two of his first four games in charge and helped get The Brewers on the right path - which ultimately led to survival that season. 

Maamria, who has also managed Stevenage and Oldham, is out of work which is convenient for Shrewsbury as there will be no compensation to consider. 

However he has been linked with a moved to Esperance Sportive De Tunis recently. 

Ian Foster

Foster has recently been in charge of Plymouth Argyle in the Championship and is out of work following his sacking back in April. 

The former England under-20s coach was assistant to Steven Gerrard at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq before he left that role to coach Argyle. 

He is regarded as a good coach, and after an ill-fated spell in Devon Salop might give him a fresh opportunity. 

Brian Barry-Murphy

The Irish coach was linked with the Shrewsbury job the last time it became vacant.

The 46-year-old left his role as manager of the elite development squad at Manchester City in the summer after being appointed in 2021. 

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Bury midfielder managed more than 100 games at Rochdale after being appointed in 2019. 

And with a win percentage of just over 31, he resigned, and then he took up his position working for the Premier League champions. 

Mark Kennedy

The former Lincoln boss Kennedy could be an option to take over from Hurst. 

Kennedy left the Imps in October 2023 after 18 months in the job, winning 18 of his 57 league games in charge.

He took over Swindon in the summer but was sacked just a few weeks ago with the side hovering just above the relegation zone. 

Mat Sadler

Already a fan favourite at the Croud Meadow for the part he played in Hurst's side who finished third in League One back in 2017-18. 

But Sadler is now making strides in management. 

He is the current boss of Walsall in League Two, and they are doing well. His side currently sit in second place having taken 26 points from their opening 13 league fixtures. 

With Walsall doing so well this season, would Sadler leave a high-flying side to come and manage a club in a relegation battle? It seems unlikely, but he would be a good option, and Roland Wycherley is a big fan of his.