New boss Paul Jewell said the chance to manage Town was too good an opportunity turn down after signing on at Portman Road until 2013. The new Blues manager says the opportunity with Town ticked all the boxes.

Jewell said: “It’s great being back in the managerial hotseat. I’ve been out of work for two years but you’re never out of football, you’re either working in the media or travelling watching to Spain or Italy and watching other teams and trying to improve your knowledge for when you do get back into the game.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to come back in, but this one ticked all the boxes and I’m really excited and looking forward to getting going.”

The 46-year-old says he was attracted by Town’s lack of short-term thinking: “We’ve got a lot of hard work to do, we’re involved in a bit of a battle at the moment and confidence is at a low ebb.

"Every league game’s going to be a cup final and hopefully we can build for the future, get the confidence back with the players and get smiles back on faces. Everyone will start with a clean slate.

“Hopefully, we can consolidate and who knows that’s going to happen this season. One of the reasons this appealed to me is that it’s not a quick fix, it’s long-term objective, trying to build the club ultimately to the Premier League.”

Jewell, who is yet to finalise his backroom staff with his usual right-hand man Chris Hutchings having been sacked by Walsall last week and West Ham coach Wally Downes linked on Saturday, says he is yet to meet his players: “The deal was only signed last night after dinner, incidentally I paid the bill, which I think was what swung it!

“It’s been a whirlwind, I got the phone call on Thursday evening from the owner, I met him in Ireland on Friday and I had more meetings with Simon Clegg on Friday and Saturday. It’s gone really, really quick.”

With that mind, Jewell says he won’t be picking the team for Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final at home to Arsenal: “I think it would be in the best interests of the team to let the two lads who are running it at the moment, Tony and Charlie, who are fine professionals, run the game on Wednesday because they know the players better than I do. And come Thursday morning, we’ll be taking over. “I’ve got a lot of DVDs of the team to watch this afternoon and tomorrow. The less distraction the players have the better, they can just get on with the job of playing on Wednesday.

“I don’t want them to feel as if people are looking over their shoulders, so I’ll watch the game from the stand and start work on Thursday morning.”

Jewell outlined what he wants from his players, having spent the last couple of years assessing where he got things right and wrong at his previous clubs: “I want people to give everything they’ve got every day and while out of the game for two years I’ve studied myself and where I’ve made mistakes, trying to improve as a manager and as a coach.

“Hopefully, the good experiences and the bad experiences I’ve had in football will help me become a better manager. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’ve had some ups and I’ve had some downs and I’m really looking forward to taking this battle on.

“As a manager, I want my players to enjoy training, to enjoy playing and if we’re doing that we’ll be doing OK.”

The ex-Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan and Derby boss has been promised money to spend by chief executive Simon Clegg, but doesn't appear to be in a too much of a hurry to spend it: “Sometimes if you’re busy in the transfer market in January, you can be desperate buyers. I think it’s important that we take our time and obviously the loan market is there to be exploited.

“I’m not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes here and say I don’t know how much I’ve got to spend, but if there’s somebody out there that I think can improve our team, then I will do it.”

A product of Liverpool’s famous youth system, the former striker says his aim as Town boss is clear — to get them back in the Premier League: “That’s the goal, that’s what we’re hoping for. There are a lot of things in place here can give us an opportunity to do that.

“But looking at the division, there are an awful lot of big clubs in the Championship with the same expectations as Ipswich.

“It’s a very tough league to get out of, but I think we’ve got a lot of good players here, we just need to try and get them to believe in themselves, that’s the first objective.

"If we can do that, hopefully in two-and-a-half years’ time we’ll be talking about moving out of this league.”

Photo: Action Images

Upbeat~ added 16:05 - Jan 10 Great stuff Paul best of luck!!! COYB
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RevAdrian added 16:11 - Jan 10 Welcome! There are some important statements going around today - valuing the clubs' traditions but looking forward, understanding the close community links we have, playing 'the way Ipswich expect the game to be played'. Hold to them, Mr Jewell, build on them and develop them by bringing your own particular gifts to ITFC and let's work together for a bright future.
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bluechick added 16:12 - Jan 10 Well at least he's being realistic about long term goals and not gobbing off about being promoted in two years. Lets now hope ME/SC realise that you cannot simly throw money at this league and guarantee promotion and that the previous cost cutting excercise hasn't worked. Perhaps ME/SC need to realise that a lot of rich men have wasted vast amounts of money in pursuit of the fabled Premier riches and even if they do get us there an even bigger cash gobbling monster awaits.

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HealysBackPocket added 16:12 - Jan 10 Only reason he wasn't in a job was because he resigned, even though many of the Derby fans wanted him to stay. Okay sorted. I like what he's got to say, not going for the Keane tactic of "Promotion in a year if not you're a stupid manager." Will have a few contacts in the game, and hopefully, won't be afraid to look in the lower leagues for players.
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wellasahsay added 16:13 - Jan 10 Completely sensible, rational, honest and realistic interview. Very encouraging. Now let's give complete support for the rest of the season, whatever happens. He's obviously a good manager, schooled as a youth player in the 'pass and move' Liverpool side of the 80s. I think he will do well, but this is a project and not a magic trick. Enough of the negativity. A breath of fresh air, a clean slate and all other appropriate cliches. Come on Town! We've got Pauljewellio, we've got Pauljewellio, we've got Pauljewellio, we've got Pauljewellio...

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TractorBeezer added 16:13 - Jan 10 Well said Paul. I think that it will be a breath of fresh air for our players to start their relationship with you with a clean slate. Would love to see Townsend back too!
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wellhungphil added 16:14 - Jan 10 Good sense of humour, proven track record, out to improve himself as well, and maybe a couple of bob to spend if needs be. A positive start, and even if is slightly "soundbites", I'll have a couple of those with a hot chocolate and settle in for what will hopefully be a gentle reassuring lift up the table soon!
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Ipswich24 added 16:14 - Jan 10 I like fact he used to be a striker thats where we need to focus on how to actually enterain and put ball in the net COYB
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MVBlue added 16:15 - Jan 10 Good lad. At last a proper manager. Hope he can put a good team together and get us passing and attacking the Ipswich way. If hes clever he'll play for clean sheets at Portman road and Emirates stadium, and then hope for the best.
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hogster1970 added 16:16 - Jan 10 yep sounds good lets bring it on paul, and get these players playing again and lets see so exciting footie again
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Moisha added 16:17 - Jan 10 Welcome Paul - made some sensible points, nothing blase about promotion, and looking to give everyone a chance and instill some confidence, i think this is what is required. If he's anything like our last scouse manager we could be in for an exciting time!!
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legoman added 16:19 - Jan 10 Loan players - Pah. Here we go again :o(
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chripswich added 16:19 - Jan 10 Hes bottled the Arsenal game... we get thumped?..nothing to do with him.. Hes our manager..he should be in the dug out!! this is a disastrous appointment...gone by the end of the season I hope anyone who thought keane was a bottler and walks away.. you aint seen nothing yet!I cannot believe this has happened... we had a real chance to sort things out..we didnt take it one less s. ticket holder at portman road just complete rubbish!

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whymarksmyhero added 16:21 - Jan 10 Obviously wish him well, and can't wait to actually walk to the ground LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THE GAME !! That's something thats been missing for quite some time. Jason Koumas anybody ?? ^^^^"We've got Paullewellio" ????? - OH DEAR !!!
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ArnieM added 16:23 - Jan 10 Altogether now: WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO.......WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO.......WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO.......WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO.......WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO.......WE'VE GOT PAULJEWELLIO MARCHING ALTOGETHER...... WE'VE COME TO SEE YOU WIN.....
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trueblue added 16:26 - Jan 10 got to feel sorry for Paul Jewell, having to sit through all those dvd's of our past performances, plenty of black coffee at hand and something stronger when they have been watched
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fourth added 16:28 - Jan 10 Good. Belief in Good Things. In expansive plenty. A man manager. Encourager. A curious, haphazard, mix of players but a fair amount of talent. Wouldn't it be good to have Total Football back? A fit, fast, passing team unafraid to threaten the opposition from anywhere on the field !
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mikeybloo88 added 16:29 - Jan 10 Chripswich, hand over your season ticket and good riddance, and take Katemoss with you - we don't need your negativity round here. Never heard as much tosh as you two talk.
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TractorCam added 16:29 - Jan 10 Come on Paul make our club back to how it use to be :)
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JohnyJohnson added 16:33 - Jan 10 Lets get behind our new manager- the negative posts are a disgrace (canaries in disguise)
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BornBlue added 16:34 - Jan 10 "I've had some ups and I've had some downs" Several, according to News of the World.
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floridaboy added 16:37 - Jan 10 KateMoss and Chripswich. Please keep as far away from PR as is humanly possible. You two are not wanted. Go and support Norwich or Colchester or Berwick Rangers. Anyone other side but Ipswich Town. PLEASE STAY AWAY!
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Gilesy added 16:38 - Jan 10 Is Kate Moss Ged Scott in disguise?
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moomoosereni added 16:38 - Jan 10 To Katemoss, I think it was clear we weren't going to go after a manager that was currently in work because you would then have two contracts to pay off, Roy Keanes and the new managers from the club he left. Was never going to happen. He wasn't my first choice but who are we to judge when he hasn't even managed a game as yet. I certainly gave Roy Keane his chance despite again him not being my first choice. Let's do things the Ipswich way here, give him a chance, let him work things how they want to work and if it doesn't work out then we can maybe discuss things. Good luck Paul, I think most fans are behind you here, fortunately.

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Theblueyy added 16:39 - Jan 10 lets get behind jewell and the town, lets put this poor run behind us and look forward to the new start !! COYB
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