x

Gill and Klug to Take Caretaker Charge as Cook in Talks - Ipswich Town News

TWTD understands first-team coach Matt Gill and academy head of coaching and player development Bryan Klug will take caretaker charge of the Blues following Paul Lambert and Stuart Taylor’s departure last night.

Gill, 40, has become increasingly prominent over recent weeks, while club stalwart Klug, 60, has previously been caretaker following the exit of other managers.

The pair are set to lead training today ahead of Tuesday's game at Accrington Stanley.

General manager of football operations Lee O'Neill is set to speak to the media regarding the situation at lunchtime.

It’s understood that Paul Cook, 54, is in advanced talks with the Blues with claims that he may be at Tuesday’s game at Accrington - one of his former clubs - ahead of his appointment at Town, although that is as yet unconfirmed.

TWTD revealed in January that the former Portsmouth, Wigan and Chesterfield boss had been sounded out by owner Marcus Evans with Paul Lambert’s departure looking increasingly on the cards even at that stage.

On Friday, Cook was linked with Town as part of the US-backed takeover which is still a number of weeks away from being concluded.

TWTD understands former Blues forward Noel Hunt may be part of Cook’s staff, which it’s anticipated could also include existing members of staff, Gill perhaps among them.

Hunt, 38, played for Cook at Portsmouth and Wigan and was a member of the coaching staff at Swindon until December last year.

The former Irish international was a popular figure with the Blues in a spell which ran between November 2014 and the end of that season, most notably due to his last-gasp debut goal at Charlton.

As reported yesterday, another ex-Blue, Gary Roberts, 36, is also understood to be in Cook's thoughts for a role on his backroom staff.

Meanwhile, Saturday's opponents Doncaster are also now without a boss after manager Darren Moore departed to take over of Sheffield Wednesday this morning.

Coincidentally, Moore's last game in charge of his previous club, West Brom, was also against Town, a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns in March 2019.

What to read next:

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.
Ipswich Town 5-0 Sheffield United - Match Report
Jaden Philogene hit a hat-trick as Town ended their long wait for a home league win by thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 at Portman Road. Philogene opened the scoring in the 20th minute, then added an even better second on 51, before George Hirst made the most of dreadful defending to net the third in the 61st minute. Philogene completed his treble with his best of the night seven minutes later, before Jack Clarke completed a great night for Town, whose last home league win was against Chelsea on December 30th, on 78.