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Town Sack Hurst as Lambert Set to Take Over - Ipswich Town News

Town have sacked manager Paul Hurst after less than five months in charge with former Norwich boss Paul Lambert close to taking over.

Owner Marcus Evans is understood to have wielded the axe this afternoon following last night’s 2-0 defeat at Leeds with the players believed to have been called to the training ground to be told the news.

Evans is understood to have sounded out a number of experienced Championship managers to take over from Hurst as he looks to avoid a damaging and costly relegation to League One.

TWTD can confirm the Daily Mirror's earlier report that former Norwich, Aston Villa and Colchester manager Lambert could be confirmed as boss prior to Saturday’s trip to Millwall, although Bryan Klug has returned to his caretaker-manager role in the meantime.

Hurst was only appointed Town boss on May 30th and his tenure - only the 16th since the club turned professional - at 149 days is the shortest in the Blues' history.

Town won only once during his time in charge, at Swansea prior to the international break, with his overall record in all competitions reading played 15, won one, drawn seven, lost seven. They sit bottom of the Championship.

Rumours of training ground discontent have been rife for some weeks, while Hurst's summer recruitment, largely players who impressed him while working in the lower leagues while a number of more experienced players departed, is widely viewed as a significant factor behind the current position.

Hurst's departure appeared only a matter of time with the win at Swansea having perhaps bought him a little time. However, Saturday's dismal performance the 2-0 home defeat to QPR was probably the final straw.

Lambert, 49, was last in a job earlier this year, taking charge of Stoke City in January but leaving in May following their relegation to the Championship.

Previously he was in charge at Wolves, Blackburn and Villa, but is most remembered in East Anglia for his stint in charge at Norwich between 2009 and 2012 during which he took them from League One to the Premier League.

The Scot had joined the Canaries from Colchester United where he spent just under a year. The U's had defeated Norwich 7-1 on the opening day of 2009/10.

He started his managerial career at Livingston and Wycombe having played in midfield for St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund - with whom he won the Champions League - Celtic and Livingston as well as winning 40 caps for Scotland.

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