x

Burley Missing Management - Ipswich Town News

Sacked Town manager George Burley says that he is itching to get back into management after his dismissal from Portman Road. He also says that there has been progress on negotiating a settlement between himself and the club.

Being out of football is an unusual experience for the Scot: "It's a strange feeling when you've been involved, as a player since 1971, and as a manager for over eleven years.

"It's different really when, at the weekend, you've got no involvement in games, so the last month has been a case of recharging the batteries. I've been away, I've been to Scotland and had a week away with my family, I went to see a friend in Scandinavia, so it's been relaxing.

"I think when you're involved as a manager, you're totally committed seven days a week and your mind is churning all the time and that commitment is so great. So it's been nice to relax but I'm gradually thinking 'I wish I was involved again', but certainly I think a little time off doesn't do you any harm.

"No doubt it was a big blow to me leaving Ipswich after almost eight years and that will take a little while just to come to terms with, but at the moment I'm just relaxing and taking stock."

Currently the club are honouring his his contract, thought to be worth £10,000-a-week to the former manager, however he says discussions regarding this are continuing: "I think things are progressing [with the settlement]. Ipswich are a tremendous club and they told me when I left that they would honour my contract.

A return to management is his ultimate aim but at the moment he is happy to have some time off: "I haven't been out for too long so I'm fairly fresh but I've been approached on a couple of occasions and I think clubs know that certain managers might be available because they're out of work.

"You might get contacted by the chief executive or whoever is dealing with the appointment, so it's a case at the moment of sitting still. Everybody tells me that it'll do me good to have a break and 'don't rush into anything' and I need time off just to recharge my batteries, so that's what I'm doing at the moment."

What to read next:

Ipswich Town 0-0 West Bromwich Albion - Half-Time
The Blues and West Brom remain locked at 0-0 at half-time at Portman Road.
Women's U21s Face QPR at Felixstowe
Ipswich Town Women’s U21s host QPR in the FA Women’s National Development League at the Martello Ground, Felixstowe on Sunday afternoon (KO 2pm).
Nine Changes as Town Host West Brom
Town boss Kieran McKenna makes nine changes for this afternoon’s live Sky game against West Brom at Portman Road with skipper Dara O’Shea and Leif Davis the only survivors from Tuesday’s defeat to Charlton.
Ipswich Town v West Bromwich Albion - Chatroom Open
Join us in the chatroom to discuss the game as it unfolds with hundreds of other Town fans.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Ipswich Town v West Bromwich Albion - Predictions
Have you predicted the WBA score yet? Fifty nine per cent of TWTD members are predicting a Town win today, 26 per cent a draw and 15 per cent an away win. The most commonly predicted result is a 2-1 win to Town with Philogene the first scorer but what do you think?
U21s Back to the Top After Beating Brighton
Town’s U21s continued their excellent start to their first ever Premier League 2 campaign, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 at the JobServe Community Stadium to return to the top of the table.
McKenna: Supporters Staying With the Players in a Difficult Spot is Massive
Boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues support can play a massive part as his side look to return to winning ways against West Bromwich Albion at Portman Road on Saturday following Tuesday’s shock 3-0 home defeat to Charlton Athletic (KO 12.30pm, Sky Sports).
Walton Proud to Reach Town Century
Town goalkeeper Christian Walton is set to make his 100th appearance for the club during this weekend’s Championship clash with West Bromwich Albion at Portman Road.
McKenna: Philogene and Clarke Form a Challenge and a Blessing
Blues boss Kieran McKenna admits the form of left-sided forwards Jaden Philogene and Jack Clarke is both a challenge and a blessing.