Town U21s coach Mark Kennedy is leaving the Blues this summer to coach Manchester City's U15s, TWTD understands.

Kennedy, 40, was brought to Portman Road by his former international team-mate Roy Keane in the summer of 2010 when he signed him for a fee of £75,000 from Cardiff City.

Having made 34 starts and three sub appearances for Town without scoring, the one-time Millwall, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves and Crystal Palace man began coaching at Playford Road late in the 2011/12 season.

Paul Jewell named him his U21s coach the following summer and the Dubliner continued in that role under his former Ireland and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy when he took over as boss in November 2012.

Kennedy, who won 34 caps with Ireland, scoring four goals, will take up his new role at City ahead of the new season, while McCarthy is yet to appoint his replacement.

[Update] Confirming Kennedy's exit, McCarthy told the club site: “We are disappointed to see Sparky go but we wish him all the best for the future."

Meanwhile, Town are among a number of Championship clubs claimed to be showing interest in Charlton midfielder Jordan Cousins.

The Addicks are reported to have rejected a bid from QPR, while the Blues, Norwich, Leeds, Reading and Fulham are also said to be keen on the 22-year-old, who came through the academy at The Valley.

QPR are said to be ready to make an increased offer and, even if they are interested, the Blues are unlikely to be able to compete with the financial power of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side and some of the other clubs also believed to be in the running.

Photo: Action Images

RobTheMonk added 15:35 - Jul 6 Umm, okay. Seems a strange choice to me.
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CambridgeBlue added 15:42 - Jul 6 I imagine they offered him a (relative) truckload of cash and the youth he'll be bringing through will be absolutely stellar.
1

Michael11 added 15:51 - Jul 6 Good. Never understood why he was given the role in the first place. Kieron Dyer or Matt Holland would be worth an approach.
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mickeyjb added 16:04 - Jul 6 Agreed, his U21s havnt exactly filled us with confidence, it's the younger age group that seem to have progressed and I'm not sure what input he has with their initial development. Oh and why bother even saying we are interested in this lad from Charlton???
9

cats_whiskers added 16:21 - Jul 6 How ever did he manage to that! The other candidates must have been really bleedin' poor. He hasn't done any good here, the results under him have been atrocious, anyone getting his role would be hard put to equal his dismal record. Finally one of my prayers it appears have finally been answered There just one left.. (Any guesses)
3

sidtheswan added 16:24 - Jul 6 Our lack of transfer activity and our line up of pre season fixtures is extremely underwhelming so far ! Hopefully things will improve by the beginning of the season as the division is a lot harder than last year .
8

Radlett_blue added 16:24 - Jul 6 Doesn't look very "sparky" in the photo, does he?
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Seasider added 16:29 - Jul 6 Thought I remembered him playing for City.Athough originally from Ireland,moved around a bit before coming here in 2010.Think his England roots are in the Northwest so logical move,which I presume he initiated. As Mickey said results for under 21's have not been particularly good so gives club the opportunity to bring in a fresh face unless they want to fill position from in house,and save yet more money. Good suggestion by Michael11,believe Kieron already involved with the Academy.Think Matty Holland is a great bloke,and it would be nice to bring him into the Ipswich family. Re Jordan Cousins from Charlton,why are we supposed to be showing interest in a player that we cannot afford.It annoys me when I read that almost any team can supposedly outbid us these days;thought that Evans taking over was supposed to alleviate our lack of financial power.Well that's what Sheepshanks told us shareholders when he sold the takeover years ago now;so what has happened to make ITFC one of the poorest clubs in their league.Bah humbug111.

7

iaintaylorx added 16:32 - Jul 6 Very odd! Hasn't done much with the under 21's at all and with the players there, we should have done better. Hope he keeps his hands off our young lads!
3

Seasider added 16:32 - Jul 6 And please don't preach FFP at me,as all these other clubs are in same boat as far as that is concerned.
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ArnieM added 16:35 - Jul 6 ....obviously a massive step down for him, but hey ho, sometimes people just need to move on ;)
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blues1 added 16:38 - Jul 6 Seasider. No, the other teams are not in the same boat regarding ffp. If they ignore it they'll either get fined or a transfer embargo and maybe endvup in administration. If we ignore it and endcup in administration that will be the end ofcitfc ascif a club goes into administration a 2nd tinevthe club would be liquidated. Is that what u want?
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brian_a_mul added 16:42 - Jul 6 Best of luck Sparky! City have plenty of world class youngsters in their ranks. City release lots of players every year that dont make the grade at that level, Sparky could be well placed to help recommend some loan prospects or new signings for us :)
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blueherts added 16:59 - Jul 6 Yeh he might unearth the next Veseli or Henshall
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Tufty added 17:18 - Jul 6 Bye bye life goes on
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Surco72 added 17:23 - Jul 6 Blues 1... You mean teams like QPR who completely ignored the FFP , ignored the imposed fine and are now out bidding us ? The FFP is a joke and the people that think that is the reason for us not spending more so
9

Scuzzer added 18:14 - Jul 6 What a pointless job...how many of those youngsters will get anywhere near the first team for City. Guadiola just buys success...no need for acadamy
3

Keaneish added 18:20 - Jul 6 BORING!
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gmanrom added 18:30 - Jul 6 Keiron dyer in to that roll please.
4

jas0999 added 18:34 - Jul 6 More interested in bringing in four or five quality signings. Disappointing pre season so far.
6

andyl1971 added 19:33 - Jul 6 Well there is s fee so you can forget us signing him
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lightingblue added 20:29 - Jul 6 Could be being oiled up to be our next manager. Learn from the best. Either that or dicky Wright put a would in for him. Job for the boys
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RobbieBobson added 21:47 - Jul 6 Can we get Jonny williams back on loan. He was quality when he wasn't injured.
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Bluedandy added 22:28 - Jul 6 A bizarre step down from a man who will live as long in the memory as Cor Lems
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GiveusaWave added 01:21 - Jul 7 Cor Lems...who still holds the record even today for the most red cards in Dutch football.
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