Blues legend Frans Thijssen says he’d jump at the chance to rejoin the club as a youth coach if the opportunity ever arose. Thijssen is currently working at FC Twente back in his native Holland where he is the assistant to their U21s coach Patrick Kluivert, who he expects to have a big future in football management.

The 60-year-old former midfielder has managed the likes Vitesse, Malmo, De Graapschap and Fortuna Sittard since hanging up his boots in the early nineties, and has also spent time coaching in the Middle East.

Speaking in an interview with Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Thijssen says he’d definitely be up for a return to Portman Road if the offer ever came, but only working with youngsters: “If Ipswich Town would ask me and Patrick to get things back on track a bit, then I would immediately say yes.

“But not as a head coach, not any more. That chapter is behind me. Moreover, I am more interested in the technical side. And in that respect, where can you develop players better than when they’re young?”

Meanwhile, former Blues Academy and reserves midfielder David Cawley has signed for Sligo Rovers back in his native Ireland having left the Blues last summer.

Photo: Action Images

rosseden added 13:58 - Feb 23 so theres a choice, do we go all out to get Klug back, or have a go for Kluivert and Frans and a Cat one academy?! Nice options i guess..... can you imagine a Cat One academy with Klug as the main man Kluivert as the head of youth development Chris Kiwomya as striking coach Frans as Technical Coach Russel Osman & defensive coach then id have Fabian Wilnis as a fitness & training guy as well, model pro for kids to learn from.... Then when Jimmy Bullard retires stick him in as the midfield coach.... couple years down the road when Jewell retires Kluivert could maybe step up too.... This football malarkey is easy.....

0

fifeblue added 14:25 - Feb 23 Jimmy Bullard as the midfield coach? I wouldn't even trust him to drive the coach. Thijssen is STILL a better player than Bullard now. Even if you cut one of his legs off he'd still be better.
0

davetheblue added 14:37 - Feb 23 Get Muhren back as well!!
0

thechangingman added 15:01 - Feb 23 Goodness, is it just me or is that a rather-less-than-veiled 'come and get me' offer? If so, YES PLEASE!!!!! Bobble - I have the same memories now THOSE really WERE THE DAYS...
0

pw100470 added 15:12 - Feb 23 omg. 60 really ! I remember him well . What a player , was the best ive ever seen live . Also when I was about 11 he came and watched our team one day woodhall utd in sudbury and I couldnt believe the great man was watching us !!
0

adamisablue added 15:21 - Feb 23 A.U.B KOM! wij zol leifde te heb je hier!! jij bent een ipswich LEGEND!! ive had the pleasure of watching dutch football and although it hasnt really got the big cheque books, big name stars and world wide covarge of the english leagues, some of the football played here is out of this world (always on the deck, and the movement and shape of teams here is amazing at times) to teach the youngsters the dutch way can only be a good thing :)

0

adamisablue added 15:34 - Feb 23 and @ rossden that would be an awsome coaching team, in fact its my wet dream of a team and in an ideal world it would (and could!!!) be ideal. couple of flies tho a) persuding patrick to leave the top of the eredivse and champions league contenders for a championship feeding club (lets face it, EVERY club in england is a feeding club for thew top 10 in the PL) reading into the interview, no patrick, no frans b) persuding klug to come back (also from champions league contenders spurs) c) hasnt kiywonya al;ready left the club twice? d)no gergoe burly?!?! in fact lets just bring back the enire 1978 till 1983 squad back on the couching staff and get a bit of pride back in the club :)

0

fifeblue added 17:11 - Feb 23 lets just bring back the enire 1978 till 1983 squad back in place of the current dregs and let them play.
0

h32 added 18:29 - Feb 23 yes yes yes - would be a great aquisition - more Ipswich Pedigree.
0

h32 added 18:36 - Feb 23 ..... and bring Arnold with you - pure genius - and total class. Add that to ACADEMY ONE - what a setup we would have.
0

h32 added 18:41 - Feb 23 fifeblue - ......... truly great days - and wonderful memories, that I will always treasure.
0

harlingblue added 19:51 - Feb 23 Frans, a great technical player, he would be a excellent addition to our Academy. It is great that so many very good ex Town players are starting to come on board...perhaps things are starting to change for the good at PR. The introduction of younger players into the first team has given a breath of fresh air, the reduction of loan players is also a key?
0

StochesStotasBlewe added 19:57 - Feb 23 Frans & Arnold would be a dream h32. Surely the most gifted midfield players EVER to wear the blue of Ipswich. Amazing skills & an almost telepathic partnership. If we go for class 1 academy, either or both of them would teach football the proper way to our young players.
0

blueblood66 added 20:44 - Feb 23 Franz is 60? makes me feel very old:(
0

brogansnose added 20:57 - Feb 23 Rosseden for Cleggs job. For fans of a certain generation this would be such a dream and probably just that but I would so love us to be playing tootal futbol.
0

Coastalblue added 22:20 - Feb 23 Great player and great memories, still I would like to know if he can actually coach before we invited him back?
0

La_Paz added 00:20 - Feb 24 My first, and therefore all-time favourite Town player. Would be a dream come true to have him back at ITFC. What a player.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls