Chief executive Simon Clegg says he hopes to appoint Town’s new manager in the coming days. Clegg was speaking at a Portman Road press conference this morning where he confirmed Roy Keane’s exit from the club.

Clegg said: “I hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the new manager over the coming days and I can assure you that he will have the support and the resources available to help him to achieve the objectives we have set for this club.

“This morning I have been up at the training ground and have spoken to the coaching staff, to all of the players and separately to the senior professionals. I have also asked coach Charlie McParland to take over as caretaker-manager. I would expect him to be in place as caretaker-manager for as long as necessary until such time as we are able to appoint and announce a new manager.

“Charlie will certainly be responsible for preparing and leading the team for our vital game in the FA Cup against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and if necessary the Arsenal game as well.”

Clegg says the Blues game Keane ample time to succeed but that a line had to be drawn: “In the best traditions of the club, we wanted to give Roy Keane sufficient time to get things right and to improve the situation. However, as he has said himself on a number of occasions, the performances on the pitch since November simply haven’t been good enough.

“Despite investment in the playing staff there was a lack of improvement on the pitch and the results speak to themselves.

“We all carry a degree of responsibility for this failure and I include myself in this, but I am absolutely convinced that with a new manager we will be able to achieve the objectives and goals we have set for the club.

“Ultimately results have to rest on the shoulders of the manager and as Roy has frequently said himself, the table doesn’t lie.

The chief executive, who dismissed claims that the club was in a mess, says Town are still looking upwards despite their current position of 19th: “We have taken the decision to terminate his contract now halfway through the season, we now have a real and meaningful opportunity to improve our position up the Championship table.

“Whilst we recognise we are only three points off the relegation zone, we are looking up towards the play-off zone and not down."

Photo: Action Images

bobble added 21:27 - Jan 7 did clogg give keane the boot
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brockleyblueboy added 22:02 - Jan 7 Kev_b22 - What more do you want from a Chairman/CEO? They hired what at the time seemed like an exciting and strong manager to get us up the league and into the premiersip. ME took the debt away and the club has money to spend. They gave him money, they gave him support and they gave him time. It hasn't worked out and so they have reacted and got rid of him. What is wrong with that. Unlike other interferring Boards they keep back and let the manager get on with things on the pitch (You couldn't see ME coming in at half time to make a sub) Bottom line they took on a manager to stamp their authority on the club ME just took over, it hasn't worked and so they make a change. You just seem like someone that likes to have a moan no matter what the situation. We could Sir Alex Ferguson and you would complain about the wages they would pay!

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bkd added 22:47 - Jan 7 It will be Hughton trust me !!!!
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h32 added 16:03 - Jan 8 jason0999 - you're absolutely right - personally, I don't think Paul Jewell has the right credentials to sort this out, and move the Club forward. Crucial decision time for 'the board'.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 12:07 - Jan 9 I need to change my username now. Obviously, Keane will not do it. I am pretty sure that Chris Hughton is the only sensible choice. Paul Jewell is a bit too hit and miss for me. The new manager will, to a certain extent, have to work with what's already there. Burley or Magilton would just be going backwards. I'm pretty sure that the likes of Martin O'Neil is out of our league. The other good suggestion is O'Driscoll from Doncaster. He did a good job there on quite a tight budget.

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