Town managing director Ian Milne says the search for a successor to departing boss Mick McCarthy is well under way but has asked for patience as Blues owner Marcus Evans finds the right man for the job.

McCarthy met with Evans on Wednesday when they agreed that the current Town manager will move on when his contract comes to an end in the summer, the club announcing his impending exit, along with that of assistant Terry Connor, the following morning.

“They made the decision between them to go their own way,” Milne told BBC Radio Suffolk’s Life’s a Pitch on Monday prior to the Millwall match. “Mick’s going to see out his contract and that’s the way it is.

“At the moment we can’t comment on these issues, refer to the recent press release we sent out [on Thursday]. There will be future announcements as and when they become available.

“In the meantime we have a number of matches to play before the end of the season, so let’s get behind the club, the manager and the team, that’s very important.

“These are important decisions for the club and we need time so fans have to be patient with us. We’ll come out as soon as we can with the right announcements. I’m sure the majority of fans will understand our position on this.”

Milne agreed that the appointment is one of the most important of Evans’s 10 years at Town.

“It is. It’s a case of who’s available,” he added. “It is important for the club and for all of us to here to make the right decisions and we’ve got to give him time to make those decisions.”

He says the search is well and truly on - “Yes, it is” - but wouldn’t be drawn into outlining a precise timetable and whether the identity of the new man will be made public before the end of the season or in the summer.

“It all depends on how the search goes,” Milne continued. “[Marcus] wants to make a decision as soon as he possibly can.

“That’s all I can say at the moment because it’s a search like any other search. When you’re looking somebody you want to get the right person and it’s a case of making the right decision, something not to be rushed.”

When Evans has made previous managerial appointments he has sought advice from figures throughout the game, Harry Redknapp famously among them, and Milne expects he will similarly be sounding people out this time around.

“I’m sure he’s talking to all his footballing friends, acquaintances, agents and what have you,” he said.

Will senior Town figures such as George Burley - who was in the directors’ box yesterday - and Terry Butcher be among those he speaks to?

“I can’t say precisely who he’s going to talk to, I don’t know all his list of contacts,” the MD continued. “But I think anybody he feels is relevant who can give some ideas.”

Asked whether the new man might be handed an increased budget following his appointment, Milne said: “We’ve got to wait for Marcus’s announcement on that and the future strategy going forward.”

Milne confirmed that Evans, who we understand is currently on holiday in Barbados, is set to do an on-camera interview with the club’s iFollow service, the first time the Blues’ owner will have made a public appearance since taking over at Town just over a decade ago.

“He’s promised to do that, that was in the announcement, so I wait with interest on that as well,” he said.

Does that interview indicate that Evans will have more of a public profile in the future? “I’m sure he’s going to spell that out in the strategy going forward.”

Quizzed on the decision to keep McCarthy in charge for the final eight games rather than appointing a caretaker-boss, Milne said: “All I can say is that there were discussions between Mick and Marcus and that was the decision they came to. I don’t know any more than that.”

He added: “It’s business as usual to the end of his contract and, including myself, we have to be patient.”

Milne says the aim will be to appoint a unifying figure after a fractious couple of years under McCarthy.

“We don’t want anybody to be a disunifying person,” he added. “Going back to the matches for the rest of the season, I think we owe it to the players to get behind them, they work very, very hard week in, week out and they’re going to be very professional in that and I think we should all give them our backing and continue to do so.

“We’ve got a great skipper in Luke Chambers and we’ve got to help him as much as possible, get behind him.”

Prior to the announcement that McCarthy would be leaving, the club revealed that season ticket prices would drop by 10 per cent for 2018/19, a move Milne says has received a positive response.

“I’ve had a lot of good feedback about the 10 per cent reduction,” he said. “[Fans] have said that’s fine, no grumbles at all about it, which is great, but they want to know where the club’s going in the future.”

Ideally the identity of the new manager will be known before the early bird deadline on April 30th but Milne says that won’t necessarily be the case as the most important thing is to get the appointment right.

“Marcus put in his announcement that that’s his intention, to try to get that announcement out. Bear with us,” he said.

“I don’t know if he’s going to name any successor [by that date] but I do believe there might be more on that announcement, we’ll have to wait and see. He’ll be coming out with it either before the early bird or after. It’s a search and you don’t want to rush it.”

You can listen to the full interview with Milne here.

Photo: TWTD

alial added 12:50 - Apr 3 naa - I agree with everything you have said. I have said that the info was sketchy ... (definitely did not misinterpret the data haha..) Mick did overachieve in the first 3/4 years, yes. My problem with Mick wasn't necessarily what he achieved. Ipswich is (was) a family club. One where we all stuck together and we were proud to call them our club. I don't think Mick was the right choice regardless of what he achieved. It was all about him and he appeared to show little respect to the fans. I mean, telling the fans to "**** off" at Norwich... you can't come back from that. It was left to Chambo to come out say "oh yeah, Mick did say he wanted to leave and finish above the guys up the road.."

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Daddio added 12:52 - Apr 3 If they are only considering managers that are available does this rule out all those that are currently with a club?
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yungblue added 12:56 - Apr 3 Don't have a problem with Milne, obviously appreciates the fans and always tries to see both sides of the story. Does anyone really think Milne would leave, be replaced by a rebellious Managing Director who is going to constantly go against Marcus Evans. MM ITFC career changed after Murphy left, never adapted to the loss of him regardless of getting no one in. Never had a plan B. Going forward.... Paul Hurst, Paul Cook or Mogga. PLEASE NOT PARDEW!!!! Just another manager of the merry-go-round.

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clint_eastwood added 12:58 - Apr 3 As long as we dont have to suffer anymore hoof footie, I dont really care whoever comes in.
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Barty added 13:05 - Apr 3 Please , please , please NOT McClaren or Pardew. Be happy with Paul Hurst or Paul Cook.
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dubblue added 13:10 - Apr 3 I cannot see an announcement until the end of the season. Almost as important as who will be the new manager will be what budget he will be given - we have been on a downward trajectory when you look at the money MM got vs Keane and Jewell. That will have to change otherwise we are unlikely to attract a good ambitious manager. My understanding is that our paybill last year was 16th same place where we finished, we certainly are not amongst the highest payers!

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masetheace added 13:20 - Apr 3 Only one man for me . Used to working with little money and tries to play attractive football - Nigel Clough
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Kikapu added 13:26 - Apr 3 Who ever it is I fear we'll be looking for a new goalie for next season.
0

Bert added 13:30 - Apr 3 Just hope that Evans does not play golf with Harry Rednap when he returns. You don't take advice from any of yesterday's men. Plenty of ex Ipswich players around to point the way and who understand what is needed and what is not.
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OriginalMarkyP added 13:32 - Apr 3 'It's a case of who's available'...sounds like a case of getting your excuses in early.
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dugoutdave added 13:38 - Apr 3 Daddio If they are only considering managers that are available does this rule out all those that are currently with a club?..... I honestly dont think so. I think its more a case of us fans seeking any hint of a clue and perhaps over analyise each and every word/sentance.i bloody hope so anyway. Paul Cook is my choice.
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blueboy1981 added 13:47 - Apr 3 I genuinely feel sorry at times for Milne - if ever there was a carrier pigeon without a complete script - it is HIM.
4

blueboy1981 added 13:48 - Apr 3 Ditch the FEAR - onwards, upwards, and forward - once we get a decent pitch back.
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blueboy1981 added 13:52 - Apr 3 Gcon - the proverbial disagree..er - of sense - for the sake of disagreeing. Refrain and give yourself a break. Hope I haven't confused you.
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1RWR added 13:59 - Apr 3 thechangingman:who's told him to speak for a while without saying anything whatsoever. He does this very well!
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bluesfan_whatever added 14:00 - Apr 3 I genuinely sorry for you blueboy1981 Whatever happened to make you appear so cynical I have read many of your posts Maybe you should do yourself a favour and go and support someone else Maybe you would have a happier life Part of a minority who only know how to be negative I am sure within the next three months whatever happens in terms of owner ,new manager or new players you will be moaning and doing your hardest to be unpleasant Hopefully you might prove to be a real fan and prove me wrong

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dusty added 14:10 - Apr 3 I have watched Frank Lampard's post match analysis on Match of the Day, and I have to say, very humbly, that his all round knowledge is awesome. Obviously a very intelligent young man who I feel could make the transition from player to manager with ease. Worth a punt?
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blueboy1981 added 14:20 - Apr 3 ...... bluesfan-whatever - probably - been more of a fan, for longer, and financially supported the Club more - than you ever have, or will. Keep your sadness to yourself - and get some ambition for the Club, and want standards to return - that's IF you are the FAN you perhaps pretend you are. Another 'happy clappy' - WHATEVER. No doubts there.
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silkcutblue added 14:20 - Apr 3 A lot of people are saying no to the Cowley brothers saying there football is worse than the dinos . Well when we played them twice last season there was only one decent football team playing and it wasn't us
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blueboy1981 added 14:22 - Apr 3 ........ maybe you should 'support' a Club without the pedigree of ITFC. There's a few out there that would suit you fine, I guess.
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classicblue added 14:51 - Apr 3 As one of the people who did not renew this season I am completely lost as to what other than a 10% reduction is being offered on the early bird date. Yes I hope with MM going that the entertainment at PR will increase but what if one dinosaur is replaced with another? Frankly I wouldn't buy a ticket to a show where I was told the lead actor will only be named after I buy the ticket even though it is 10% cheaper.

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Radlett_blue added 14:54 - Apr 3 Does Milne have a PhD in "Saying a lot without actually saying anything"?
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BlueBlood90 added 15:15 - Apr 3 - He can't tell us when the next manager will be announced. - He can't tell us who Evans will be asking for advice. - He can't tell us about the meeting between McCarthy and Evans. - He can't tell us when the Evans interview will be. - He can't tell us if Bart is staying or not. - He can't tell us what the situation is with repairing the pitch. WHAT DO YOU EVEN DO?!

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rugbytomc added 15:17 - Apr 3 I could do all of Milne's press conferences for him - i'd just reply "I don't know" to any question. Let Mick go now - whether he stays till the end or goes now, the club will pay him the same amount of money.
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cat added 16:00 - Apr 3 Well said Northstand'vet'. Liking your positivity towards everything ITFC. After being on the negative side of the fence for the last year or so, I'm looking forward to joining the positive side, something that comes naturally!! Onwards and upwards, Blue Army!
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