x

Portuguese Boss Claims Town Talks - Ipswich Town News

Portuguese manager José Gomes, who is currently in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Taawoun, is reported to have claimed he is in what are described as "early negotiations" with Town.

According to RTP News, Gomes told radio station Antena 1 that he has begun discussions with the Blues regarding the manager’s position which will become vacant when Mick McCarthy moves on in the summer.

"The enthusiasm is very big regarding the conversations and meetings that my agent has had in England,” Sport Witness quotes Gomes as having said in the interview.

"Because getting into a league like the Championship would indeed be extraordinary for my career.

"Football in England would be the embrace of a dream. Because it’s football with a contagious enthusiasm, with a lot of intensity, even in Championship we see stadiums filled with 20,000, 30,000 spectators in every game.”

While it might well be true that 47-year-old Gomes’s representatives have made contact with Town, the much-travelled boss, who is also said to be interesting another Saudi club Al-Hilal, would appear a very unlikely successor to McCarthy.

Gomes’s numerous previous clubs include Portuguese sides Leiria, Moreirense and Aves, as well a stint in in Hungary with Videoton and spells as an assistant at Porto, in Spain at Malaga and in Greece with Panathinaikos.

Elsewhere, former Blues loanee David Unsworth, 44, currently U23s coach and director of coaching at Everton, is said to be among those interested in the Town job.

Unsworth's only experience in first-team management up to now are spells as caretaker-boss at Preston and with the Toffeemen.

VVV-Venlo boss Maurice Steijn is again being linked with the Blues having been erroneously rumoured to be a Town target last summer.

The 44-year-old Dutchman has been tipped for a move to a bigger club this summer but would appear very much an outsider for the Portman Road job.

What to read next:

Blades Sack Selles Following Town Thrashing
Sheffield United have sacked manager Ruben Selles following Friday’s 5-0 thrashing by the Blues at Portman Road.
On-Loan Slicker Saves Two Penalties
Town keeper Cieran Slicker saved two penalties to help his loan side Barnet to a 2-1 victory away against Crewe Alexandra in League Two this afternoon.
U18s Hammered at Palace
Town’s U18s fell to an 8-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at the Eagles’ Copers Cope training ground this morning.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Gallery
Photos from last night's win against Sheffield United at Portman Road.
Sheehan: An Exciting Occasion
Ipswich Town Women play their first game at their new home, Colchester United’s Jobserve Community Stadium, on Sunday afternoon when Nottingham Forest visit in WSL2 (KO 2pm).
Peake: We'll Learn Quickly
When Ipswich Town Women make their eagerly anticipated first WSL2 appearance at the JobServe Community Stadium in Colchester on Sunday, defender Paige Peake will be making her second home debut for the club having rejoined after three years away playing for Southampton. 
Selles: We Fell Apart
Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles admitted his side fell apart after Town’s second goal during last night’s 5-0 hammering at Portman Road.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Highlights
Highlights of last night’s 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United.
McKenna: A Good Night But Still a Lot to Work On
Boss Kieran McKenna hailed Town’s 5-0 hammering of Sheffield United as a good night for the players and supporters and believes it was an important victory, but says there’s a lot still to work on.
Philogene: A Special Performance For Me
Town winger Jaden Philogene hailed a special performance as he struck his first senior hat-trick in the Blues’ 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United at Portman Road.