New goalkeeping-coach Jimmy Walker admits it was a tough decision to leave Sunderland but was persuaded away from the Stadium of Light by Paul Lambert’s vision for Town. Lambert says Walker, 45, is a “larger than life” character.
"I had a fantastic time at Sunderland. It’s a great club and I enjoyed it there so it was a tough decision,” Walker told iFollow Ipswich.
"I have worked with Paul before though and having spoken to him and listened to what he wants to achieve here, to see his visions for the club, that worked for me.
"This is an amazing club and having the opportunity to come here and work at such a fantastic football club, I just couldn’t turn that down.”
Speaking about Walker, who started his new job earlier this week, at his press conference, Lambert said: "He’s certainly larger than life Jimmy. He worked under me at Colchester and I knew the type of character he was and knew everything about him and what was going on and I’m 100 per cent sure he’ll be great.”
Lambert, Walker and the rest of the new backroom staff will travel to Reading for their first away game at the weekend.
The boss himself has no plans to do an initiation song as is traditional among the players but he says that may not be the case with Walker.
"The great thing about being a manager is you delegate,” Lambert laughed. "The staff might do it right enough. Jimmy Walker, I won’t even need to ask him, I think he’s at the karaoke place at the minute!”