Shrewsbury Chief Executive Brian Caldwell reveals interest in Livingston boss David Hopkin

David Hopkin has emerged as the outright favourite in the betting to replace Paul Hurst at Shrewsbury Town after the club’s chief executive, Brian Caldwell, revealed his interest in the in-demand Livingston boss.
Caldwell, who is keen to appoint an “ambitious manager”, told BBC Shropshire:
"I'm open to a number of options just now. David's done well at Livingston on a very limited budget.
"So, from that point of view, yes, that's of interest to me.
"It's somebody that can punch above his weight in the same way Paul does. David's done an incredible job at Livingston in the last couple of years, taking them into the Scottish Premiership.
"I'm not saying that he's one of the ones who's definitely going to be there. All I'm saying is that I'm open to looking at suggestions and, if and when Paul (Hurst) goes, the chairman and I will sit down and discuss all the attributes of each individual we want."
When the Next Shrewsbury Town Manager Market opened up on Tuesday it was the likes of Uwe Rosler, Ian Holloway and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who emerged as the early frontrunners, however it’s Hopkin who now tops the betting at just 7/4 to become the next Shrews gaffer.
His current club Livingston are understandably eager for the 47-year-old to lead the club’s charge in the Scottish top-flight, with the West Lothian outfit releasing this statement on Tuesday:
The club has held talks with David with a view to retaining him as Manager and building on the remarkable success we have enjoyed during his time here.
A budget and offer have been put to him today. We are very hopeful that David will see his future at Livingston FC.
David has been open and honest with the Board and verified that he has had other interest. He heads off on holiday on Wednesday and will use that time to reflect and come to a decision on his future.
The transfer window is closed until June 10th so the board is comfortable in giving David this time. We are hopeful that the offer will encourage him to remain with the club and take us forward in the Premiership.
The club will continue to push on with pre-season schedule and our player recruitment with the help of the coaching staff at the club.
Hopkin, with a slim budget, led Livingston up to the Scottish Premier League last season after his side toppled Partick Thistle in the play-offs. It was the second successive promotion under the Scot - the club won the 2016/17 League One title - whose achievements have inevitably caught the eye of clubs south of the border.
In recent weeks Hopkin has been hotly linked with a move to League Two side Carlisle, while he features in the betting for the Bradford job - he briefly played for the Bantams during the 2000/01 campaign.
But, should Hopkin fancy a change of scenery in his homeland, Jack Ross’ departure from St Mirren to Sunderland, means the Buddies are on the hunt for a new manager, with Hopkin an 8/1 shot for the post.
Livingston boss David Hopkin now leads the betting to become the next Shrewsbury manager at 7/4.
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) May 30, 2018
The Scot has also been linked with Carlisle & Bradford.
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