Town midfielder Cole Skuse has admitted the speculation linking boss Mick McCarthy with a return to his former job as manager of the Republic of Ireland has been a major talking point among the playing staff.

Skuse said: “All the lads have been speaking about it in the dressing room but we’re none the wiser than anyone else. The manager’s the person to ask about that. What you know we know but of course it’s a concern.

“I’ve not met a manager like him in football. He’s the best I’ve worked under and that’s not being disrespectful to any of my other managers. They’ve all got their own style but Mick’s the best.

“He was a huge selling point for me coming to the club. He’s a big reason why I decided to join Ipswich and as other players have said in the past I would be gutted if he goes.

“We’re not all stuffing money on it but there’s no hiding away from the fact that it’s in the press. You can’t get away from reading the paper and seeing that big names from Ireland are saying they want Mick to be the next manager. We’re aware of that but just trying to do our job.”

Skuse is adamant the speculation — McCarthy has been the favourite or second favourite to resume the post he quit in 2002 since Giovanni Trapattoni's departure — is not a distraction to the players on match days.

He added: “You wouldn’t be a true, honest professional if you let things like that affect your game out on the pitch. It can’t happen.

“You would be struggling every week if you let off-the-field things affect your game and you wouldn’t be an honest, dedicated pro.”

Photo: Action Images

bedsitfc added 06:22 - Oct 25 I know cole is saying it don't affect him but what about the others? If its a major talking point in the dressing room its a distraction. mick needs to make a decision and let the players know, berra, tunniclife and know skuse have said mick is the major reason they join us so how can it not effect them.
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LankHenners added 07:39 - Oct 25 Evidence that they talk about it! He may say that he ignores it and acts professionally, but it must affect them on some level. I know Mick likes to keep his cards close to his chest but it's getting silly now and it's not fair to anybody that our performances could suffer for it.
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RetroBlue added 07:54 - Oct 25 What a pity the Club's "Best Boss" has had the deceny to tell his own players/ owener exeactly what he intends to do. Q: Does he want the IPSWICH job?
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shefkuqi32 added 08:16 - Oct 25 One way or another this can't keep running on. Get off the fence Mick and just say either way .
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Gilesy added 08:48 - Oct 25 Personally, I'm quite comfortable with Mick taking as long as he wants to make the decision that's best for him and his life. He bailed the club out last season, let's be clear, and if he decides to go, then good luck to him. I hope he stays though.
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thebeat added 09:26 - Oct 25 Gilesy i understand what your saying we need ti be grateful for what he did last season but if it is affecting the players and affecting the results then we cant afford to care about Micks life. He needs to make a decision its not fair on the players, especially the ones he brought in
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Ipswich121 added 10:10 - Oct 25 Micks. Of on the fence, he's not been offered the Ireland job, and if he does he will probably go, it's his country, so I would understand. He's not going to leave here now in case he doesn't get offered the Ireland job, so there's nothing he can do really.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:29 - Oct 25 thebeat,as some others have pointed out, he hasnt been offered the job yet [ok he prob will be] if he said he wanted it before offered and he didnt get it people would say he wasnt interested in Town and he should leave anyway ! i wish people would get off his back,he's done a good job since joining town. I cant see the point in the rush to replace him , who is available to take over that can do a better job with an ''empty wallet''.Even the ''special one '' would make little difference, you cant make a silk purse out of a sow's ear .We have had our share of managers over past few years, lack of progress basicaly is mostly down to lack of funds, and thats something we have to accept until that is rectified .

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JewellintheTown added 11:48 - Oct 25 Ipswich 121 - Micks English. His Dad's Irish which is why he was eligible to play for them, then went on to manage them & has loyalty in part to them. I'm sure he's very fond of the Irish, but isn't Irish. If he was born & raised there rather than adopted to it, I'd say that might have more sway.
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bohslegend added 11:59 - Oct 25 Jewellinthetown, do you like Rugby? or Cricket? or Tennis? Or what about Owen Hargreaves? The English player with the German accent?? Would you question certain players representing England because of where they were born? If you ask MM he'll tell you he's an Irishman from Barnsley. His dad's roots are in Waterford and he is a frequent visitor to that county. Your theory in my opinion is flawed. I'm Irish, but I want Mick to stay at my beloved Ipswich Town FC. We have to realistic, as it was pointed out before, if we do get our act together (under MM or any other manager) and we get to the Premier League, every time a big job comes around our manager will be linked with it and rightly so. That's football. If we dont want our manager to be considered good enough for other big managerial roles we need to consider dropping down a few levels, that should solve the problem.

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essextractorboy93 added 16:21 - Oct 25 I still have a feeling that the job won't go to Mick. Think O'Neill is still a strong candidate. Let's focus on Bolton tomorrow and 3 points. COYB!!
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