Blues boss Paul Lambert appears to have called into question whether he will be at Portman Road next season.

Lambert and owner Marcus Evans released a joint-statement in January to confirm that the Scot, who took charge in late October following Paul Hurst’s sacking signing a three-year deal, would be staying on regardless of which division the Blues found themselves in next season and it would be a surprise if the situation has changed.

Evans's position is not believed to have changed and we understand the club firmly expect Lambert to still be at Portman Road for a 2019/20 campaign which will almost certainly be in League One.

Further to that, Lambert has stated on a number of occasions that he wants to be the man to rebuild Town using the young players coming through the academy and has also already begun preparations for a pre-season trip to Germany.

Lambert hasn't been tipped for any other jobs since taking over at Town, although his former club Celtic will be after a new permanent boss in the summer with Neil Lennon in temporary charge since Brendan Rodgers's departure. Lambert is currently a 20-1 outsider for the job with the bookies.

However, speaking to Radio Suffolk in his regular post-match interview (39mins 47secs), Lambert appeared to suggest that that he might not necessarily be the Blues' manager next season.

Asked whether he felt it was fair that some fans are questioning his record with Town having won only two of his 25 games in charge, Lambert said: “Of course it is, that’s results. If the club don’t want me to stay here, there’s no problem I’ll go, it’s not an issue. I don’t have any issue whatsoever.

“The club’s more important than me, it’s more important than any individual. The club will outlive everybody, so if the club want to me to go at the end of the season, I don’t have a problem. None.

“But what I would say is that being here and being the manager of the club, it’s an unbelievable club to manage.

“So, whoever gets the job at the end of the season if I’m not here, you’ve got an incredible club behind you, you’ve got an incredible support behind you, so there’s no problem for me.”

Questioned on whether he was still fully confident he’ll turn things around given time, which Evans is almost certain to give him, Lambert added: “Wait and see what happens at the end of the season, what’s going to happen’s going to happen. I know in my own head what’s going to happen but wait and see but what I will say is if I’m not here, then I’m proud to be the manager here because those fans deserve unbelievable football.”

Asked to clarify that he wants to be at Town next season, Lambert responded: “I told you, wait and see what’s going to happen, and that’s me being honest with everybody. I love the club, I love the support, it’s fantastic.

“Listen, I’ve been at massive clubs, huge clubs that have won the highest honours and I’ve played in front of great atmospheres, at great stadia, great fans. Ipswich is up there, 100 per cent they’re up there and what a place to get your football right, that’s for sure.”

When it was suggested a change of manager at Town in the summer would be crazy with the club requiring stability, Lambert added: “Listen, I’m too long in the tooth to think you can rest. Football is a great game for kicking somewhere where you don’t want it.

“I’ve been involved in the highest owners and clubs, the highest everything. Marcus Evans is a brilliant guy, the club’s in a good place with what could happen because of the young ones it’s got and the support it’s got behind it, and that’s the main [thing].

“The most important people aren’t me, it’s the supporters and the players. I want what’s best for the football club and the record of not winning games is absolutely not good enough, we’ve drawn too many games. But playing football-wise we’ve been exciting.

“As I said before, I was at an ex-players’ dinner last night and when you talk about legends at the football club, they were all there in abundance and it shows you how much it means to everybody.”

Photo: TWTD

thechangingman added 20:35 - Mar 30 Translation: We're getting a new manager.
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RegencyBlue added 20:38 - Mar 30 Lamberts PR has been spot on so far. I don't think this is a misunderstanding or anything like that. Only two weeks ago at the season ticket holders event Lambert was talking about plans for next season. Something's up!
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never_lose_the_faith added 20:39 - Mar 30 I know he hasn't turned around results like we would have liked, it I feel getting rid of him would be a massive mistake, he has single handedly galvanised the town fans and I was really looking forward to next season with him at the helm. Really worried for next year if lambert does go.
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RonFearonsHair added 20:41 - Mar 30 Will that be the strap-line on the season ticket renewal letter? Evans/O'Neill - clarification needed.
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Smithy added 20:41 - Mar 30 God help us if Evans picks yet another dud and removes the best manager we've had here for a long long time
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Suffolkboy added 20:42 - Mar 30 Do hope he stays : but I do wonder whether ME has found a new owner and that is what's behind this situation . COYB
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herfie added 20:43 - Mar 30 Intriguing, puzzling and potentially disturbing comments. From an apparently solid assurance that, whatever division we were in, he would remain to rebuild and take us forward based upon sound footballing principles, his personal landscape appears to have changed. Have to question why, and what has prompted his less than convincing commitment. No doubt all will become clear; but his comments probably won't do much for ST renewals. When supporters are looking for certainty and continuity. Strange days.

12

ITFCsince73 added 20:43 - Mar 30 The Ipswich circus rolls on....if PH now leaves, and leaves us with Chambo on a fresh new contract. I'll never forgive him.
2

boroughblue added 20:44 - Mar 30 I must admit, I saw some nervous tweets from fans earlier about this interview (didn't hear it myself), and started to really panic. But now I've read it myself, I don't think there is that much cause for concern. (Feel free to tell me im interpreting this wrong) I read this as PL wants to stay, but he feels as though because results haven't picked up ME may want him to go. I think that would be a terrible decsion, with PL in charge I have very little doubt that we will bounce back first time of asking, on the other hand if he goes I have very little confidence that we will do the same. Bracing for a nervy few days now though...

12

JohnyJohnson added 20:47 - Mar 30 We need this man at our club
8

FromIpswichToPhoenix added 20:47 - Mar 30 Losing Paul would be a massive hit for this club. He needs to stay.
6

Dissboyitfc added 20:49 - Mar 30 wonder what has happened in the last few days, worrying times indeed!
3

warktheline added 20:49 - Mar 30 It's the 'Chambers and Skuse' show !🤣
2

warktheline added 20:54 - Mar 30 Evans without any doubt in my mind has singlehandedly 'fiddled' whilst Ipswich 'burnt' ! Emperor Evans!
3

rgp1 added 20:54 - Mar 30 I think this a bit like ready steady cook. Lambert gets given some turds parsley and a turnip and is expected to cook something out of it.
5

runaround added 20:59 - Mar 30 Really concerned about this as i think Lambert has been the main driver behind the improvement in the club off the field & the better performances if not results on it. If he goes because of problems with Evans then I fear club will continue on a downhill spiral & things will be toxic again
6

Paramedic added 21:01 - Mar 30 If this great man is allowed to walk away from this great club we will be years in the wilderness. In going down to the 3rd tier of English football for the first time in over 50 years, please please please let's make sure we do something right.
5

jas0999 added 21:02 - Mar 30 You'd have thought Evans and PL have been discussing next season. It sounds like things have changed. Either PL has a better offer or is unhappy with Evans budget or Evans doesn't buy in to PLs plan. For years Evans seems to like short term strategies and loans. PL has stated it's madness. A parting of the ways over money and/or strategy?
8

bluearmyboy added 21:02 - Mar 30 Anyone else think that the media team could have been asking the right questions but just in the wrong way which will mean that PL will get a different side to that question which could make him think that he is at the receiving end of some hate from the fans when he's definitely not?
1

delias_cheesy_flaps added 21:05 - Mar 30 All together now......Cheerio...Cheerio.....Cheerio
0

lincolnshireblue added 21:14 - Mar 30 What I read into this, is that he feels that because of the results Evans may get shot of him. He clearly wants to stay and Evans needs to clarify that PL will be here next season and that it's next seasons results that he will be judged on. With the number of injuries and low quality players he has had to work with, it would have taken one hell of a miracle to stay up this season. However, we have ended up where we are following years of miss management higher up.

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ITFCsince73 added 21:16 - Mar 30 Any other clubs support would be screaming for Paul Lamberts head, considering win percentage is worse than abysmal. Just shows what state we was in....
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Cakeman added 21:19 - Mar 30 Very good rgp1 😂 however that will give Evans a cost saving idea by replacing the Portman Pie with an exclusive delicacy of turds, parsley and turnip encased in pastry!
3

runaround added 21:26 - Mar 30 I think Lambert is a clever man & it feels like he is bringing this up so Evans has to make a decision as more uncertainty is no good for the club. Strange though as before the interview it didn't seem like there was a decision to be made?! Seems like something has changed?
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herfie added 21:29 - Mar 30 Perhaps affected by attending last night's players' reunion dinner, speaking with ‘living legends', realising that the task he faces is monumental, and with the club's history impossible to ignore or get anywhere near. Today's performance, whilst not lacking effort, served to show how far off the pace we are, when playing a very average C'ship club. But, ultimately, it's a results driven business - and, sadly, the stats don't lie.

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