Chief executive Simon Clegg says he hopes to appoint Town’s new manager in the coming days. Clegg was speaking at a Portman Road press conference this morning where he confirmed Roy Keane’s exit from the club.
Clegg said: "I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the new manager over the coming days and I can assure you that he will have the support and the resources available to help him to achieve the objectives we have set for this club.
"This morning I have been up at the training ground and have spoken to the coaching staff, to all of the players and separately to the senior professionals. I have also asked coach Charlie McParland to take over as caretaker-manager. I would expect him to be in place as caretaker-manager for as long as necessary until such time as we are able to appoint and announce a new manager.
"Charlie will certainly be responsible for preparing and leading the team for our vital game in the FA Cup against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and if necessary the Arsenal game as well.”
Clegg says the Blues game Keane ample time to succeed but that a line had to be drawn: "In the best traditions of the club, we wanted to give Roy Keane sufficient time to get things right and to improve the situation. However, as he has said himself on a number of occasions, the performances on the pitch since November simply haven’t been good enough.
"Despite investment in the playing staff there was a lack of improvement on the pitch and the results speak to themselves.
"We all carry a degree of responsibility for this failure and I include myself in this, but I am absolutely convinced that with a new manager we will be able to achieve the objectives and goals we have set for the club.
"Ultimately results have to rest on the shoulders of the manager and as Roy has frequently said himself, the table doesn’t lie.
The chief executive, who dismissed claims that the club was in a mess, says Town are still looking upwards despite their current position of 19th: "We have taken the decision to terminate his contract now halfway through the season, we now have a real and meaningful opportunity to improve our position up the Championship table.
"Whilst we recognise we are only three points off the relegation zone, we are looking up towards the play-off zone and not down."