Former Town boss Roy Keane says he is hugely disappointed to be leaving Portman Road. The Irishman was told that his time with the Blues was at an end yesterday via a phone call from club owner and chairman Marcus Evans.

Keane released a statement via the League Managers’ Association: “I’m hugely disappointed to be leaving Portman Road. Results haven’t been as good as I’d have hoped so far this season and when results aren’t good the manager gets the sack, that’s the game.

“However, I have a genuine belief that we were making progress and that the players have what it takes to turn this season around. We were preparing well for our visit to Chelsea on Sunday and then our Carling Cup semi with Arsenal. Getting to that semi proves what I know the team is capable of.

“I was also working hard to build the squad during the transfer window, looking at our options to attract new players to the club. I have loved my time at Ipswich, living locally to the club with my family, and have a massive respect for the club, its staff, the fans and the community and I wish them well.”

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA added: “Roy is one of the most committed and dedicated managers in the game and without a doubt leaving Ipswich will be very disappointing for him.

“Roy’s departure though, typifies him, in his honest and forthright appraisal of his departure. This season’s run with the club in the Carling Cup is testament to his ability in getting the best out of his team in big games and it is disappointing that he has not been given the opportunity to lead out Ipswich in their first cup semi-final for thirty-odd years [sic].”

Photo: Action Images

mickeyjb added 14:49 - Jan 7 I wish Roy, the best of luck. I personally doubt we will see him manage another club again. I finding it hard to see what progress he was on about as I thought we were sliding down the table not progressing up it! Anyway like I said "best of luck" and thanks for trying. Bring on the happy times again.....
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Bluecasp added 14:52 - Jan 7 Not in the slighest sad to see Keane go. The fact that he won his first two games with the team he inherited and then proceeded to take us backwards says it all. To suggest that some fans didn't support him from the start seems a bit odd as I think most fans were quite reasonable to him after our terrible start last year. A decent manager with a bit more experience will soon have us heading up the table.

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KenDubZ added 14:53 - Jan 7 I miss ya now buddy we need you as an assistant not a manager along side Chris H mate.... All the best
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mrgoetz added 15:07 - Jan 7 This interview typifies to me why Roy Keane should have gone. Getting to the league cup semi-finals is no proof or testament of anything when your opponents were teams you should be beating (Exeter, Crewe, Millwall, Northampton). Ipswich's place in the semi-final was down to one win against a mid-table Premiership team - hardly an endorsement of anything.
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WadzillaBhoy added 15:18 - Jan 7 Poor timing IMO we should've at least let Keano manage us until we were out the league cup. Sad day for Town can't fault Keano's effort, determination, commitment or his honesty. KEANO KEANO
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Moisha added 15:53 - Jan 7 Really wanted you to succeed Keano but i couldn't see what we was trying to do against Forest..... It looked like Rugby, try and get territorial advantage and then have a long throw into the box and see where it got us. Thanks for your efforts but ultimately not good enough, we couldn't afford to carry on in the same vain. All the best for the future.
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Gus added 16:02 - Jan 7 Really wanted him to succeed, shame he didn't. I think he will become a good manager given time.
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itfc1996 added 16:02 - Jan 7 roy was a legend in his playing days but unfortunately hes going to be remembered for the wrong reasons now.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 16:28 - Jan 7 Shame it didn't work out Roy, & no one can question you're effort or commitment, however, this did need to happen for the good of the club.
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Dorsetblue added 16:30 - Jan 7 Good luck Roy. I believe he will be a great manager just not with us, but remember change is sometimes a bad thing as well.... but lets wait and see who comes in... Sacked by phone.... Mr Evans doesn't like face to face firings then!
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sadler added 16:33 - Jan 7 thanks for trying keano, we had some good moments, but unfortunley more bad then good :/ best of luck at your next club thought roy.
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jas0999 added 16:41 - Jan 7 Best of luck Roy. Whatever anyone says about him, I have no doubt that he tried his best and worked hard for Ipswich Town. Sadly, it didn't work out, but see no reason why we shouldn't wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
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del45 added 17:02 - Jan 7 It took the great Robson 2 years to get it right so y was RK not given the same time by this club now run by people who know very little about football and are only there for their own profit. Also it is not RK fault that the players who are paid huge sums of money cannot score the goals which would not have put this club in position it finds it self today.
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RevAdrian added 17:19 - Jan 7 I've been critical but wish Roy all the best - every manager who has an influence on the club he manages leaves a legacy - sometimes of both negatives and positives. Thanks Roy for the positives that you leave behind and hope it works out for you somewhere else.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 18:07 - Jan 7 well said! Drew added 11:54 - Jan 7 Thanks for trying Roy, good luck for the future.
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4dy added 18:19 - Jan 7 this last couple of seasons will have been a learning curve for rk.i honesley believe he will be a great manager,unfortunatley not here.all the best to him
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brainbox added 20:19 - Jan 7 Whilst I have been one of RK's fiercest critics in the recent weeks/months I am not by nature a vindictive person so I do wish him all the best in his future career in whatever direction that may be - that said I am mightily relieved that the inevitable decision has now been taken and we can hopefully look forward to a change in football quality and hopefully more positive results going forward at PR and beyond - as for who comes in I personally would favour Curbishley, but honestly I would take Kermit the Frog if he could take us back somewhere near to the entertainment and positive performances we had the pleasure to witness under Burley's first Prem season, or indeed the days under Joe Royle when we had the approach of 'well if the opposition can score 4 we will go for 5' with the swashbuckling team of Bent, Shefki et al - I am really looking forward to the new era when hopefully the beloved club I have followed for many years will be returned to the fans in a positive way - good luck Roy, but don't come back....

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WREXHAM_BLUE added 20:44 - Jan 7 Ultimately a great shame; I wish things could have gone better. I also agree that it is very sad that Roy won't have the opportunity to lead the team out in the semis. I just hope the lads do you (and us) proud Roy. As I've said in previous posts, thanks for trying and good luck for the future. [Look forward to the updated autobiography!!]
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Lightningboy added 22:19 - Jan 7 Any truth in the rumour that Keano's been spotted hitch-hiking down the road with the theme tune to the Incredible hulk playing in the background?
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devontractorboy added 22:37 - Jan 7 Left like a gentleman, well done Roy, but I like many others are not sorry to see you go. It just didn't (for whatever reason) work out for you or the team. Time to move on!
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h32 added 22:49 - Jan 7 Some of you are obviously still 'star struck' and worship the name - fact is he failed miserably at this club and we were heading fast into potential oblivion, I believe he became more confused as time passed, quite the reverse to heading in the right direction. I for one was delighted when he was appointed, but it didn't work out - FORGET THE NAME AND MOVE ON TO BETTER THINGS. NOW. Thanks for the effort Roy - it just wasn't good enough for us, or indeed the owner, who certainly gave you a good crack at proving yourself. Much more than some would have.

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bluesman added 23:59 - Jan 7 One thing you can say about him is he put everything into it. but we've got the basis of a good squad so you have to look at his skills as a manager.
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bobble added 07:54 - Jan 8 a year and a half to late whoppit. well out of his depth hopeless.. cant understand why they didnt do the decent thing and put him out of his and our misery ages ago ...........................happy days indeed.............................
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Guthrum added 15:23 - Jan 8 A shame things didn't work out with Keane (and it clearly wasn't working). Best wishes for the future, Roy. Now let's see how things go under McPartland and looking forward to seeing who we get to replace Keane (as long as it's not Curbishley).
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