Shrewsbury Town comment: Paul Hurst had to go while his stock was so high

In fact, there is almost always someone left with a sour taste in their mouth when a manager leaves a club.

Shrewsbury Town were on the cusp of promotion to the Championship just a few days ago but it didn't happen, and the man who led the charge is moving on.

Paul Hurst imminently upping sticks to Ipswich does not come as much of a surprise – it has been rumoured for weeks, and the phenomenal job he has done at the Montgomery Waters Meadow was always going to garner serious attention.

It was a matter of when, not if, a club from higher up would make a serious play for the 43-year-old.

Without disrespecting Salop, the Tractor Boys are a big club and in the division above. You can certainly see why he has been swayed.

But it is the manner of it all that does not sit well with a lot of the blue and amber faithful, and chief executive Brian Caldwell.

First of all, fair play to Caldwell for coming out and being so open.

Town fans deserved to be kept in the loop and the Scot understands that.

His comments have been candid and, although it was not what supporters really wanted to hear, appreciated.

He suggested the Portman Road side approached Hurst illegally and in return Ipswich, of course, refuted that claim.

Caldwell went into detail about the fact the club first received contact from Hurst's agent about the interest, as opposed to hearing directly from the Suffolk side first.

He also admitted a few players, those out of contract, have been left in limbo.

They probably do not want to commit either way until the picture becomes clearer – and who could blame them?

One thing that stuck out was Caldwell stating that goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne and physio Chris Skitt did not know of Hurst being given permission to speak to Ipswich until they read about it on social media.

That should not be happening – you would have expected Hurst to give them a heads up.

What we do know for sure is that Hurst going is a real smack in the face for Salop supporters.

The timing is atrocious too as there has not been long enough to get over another Wembley defeat.

After such a stunning, almost miraculous campaign, Town have come crashing down to earth with an almighty thud.

From Hurst's perspective, it is a case of striking while the iron is hot.

Had he pledged his future to the club, his stock most likely would not have been as high six months down the line – repeating last term's level of success was going to be an enormous challenge.

As he has put it numerous times, Hurst is ambitious and, although it stings at the moment, the vast majority will be hoping for him to enjoy more success.

The situation has been a classic example of how swiftly things can change in football.

Let's hope Salop can get a new boss in place – and the futures of those unsure players – sorted as soon as possible.