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U21s Coach Kennedy Leaves Town to Join Manchester City - Ipswich Town News

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.

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