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

Suffolk_n_Good added 17:56 - Jan 10 A very sensible & well worded first interview, Good luck PJ hope things work out well for you, us the fans & the club as a whole.
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fourth added 17:59 - Jan 10 Bring in Ted Phillips as set ball coach, Arnold Mühren distribution manager, John Wark as midfield striker tactician, George Burley to teach coolness under fire and Mick Mills to show how to see the game 3 plays in advance. That should do it.
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VILJOEN67 added 18:00 - Jan 10 Welcome Paul we wish you every success. I disagree that he has such a big job to do. I think the squad already has good players but they have lacked direction and a pattern of play with no plan B. Get full backs overlapping, get a good creative central midfielder to get service and support for the front two. Who have enough goals in them given a little more confidence. Score lines in the league have been very close in the vast majority of matches. The line between success and failure is very slim in this league. C.O.Y.B s

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lunatic38 added 18:01 - Jan 10 Paul Jewell? there is no way he is as good as Keano HEHEHEHEHE only joking, Welcome Paul to Portman Road, a place that has been seriously damaged and needs a lot of hardwork to repair and rebuild and it seems that You are the man!!!
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VILJOEN67 added 18:13 - Jan 10 Its worth noting that the two jobs where he ''failed'', he was in situ less than 13 months, his success stories were at clubs where he spent a number of years where there was not much progress to begin with, probably at unfashionable clubs where expectation was less which allowed him the breathing space to get promotion. Lets just support the bloke and get behind the team.

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Bostonblue added 18:14 - Jan 10 Never my 1st choice but if he gets us playing in the style we were known for I'll buy him a session at our local brothel!
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h32 added 18:16 - Jan 10 .... I have had a smile on my face since around 1.15pm today, interspersed with some laughter - I am still unsure if this is due to despair, disbelief, or relief. Somehow I don't think it's relief. Many clubs today are becoming owned and 'executed', yes 'executed' by people who are NOT Football people, and clearly know very little, if anything, about the game. Our Club, in my opinion, unfortunately now fits this category. Good Luck to the new Manager Paul Jewell - he will need it - we, as supporters may need some too. Here's to hoping we are not in this situation again in the near future - only time will tell !!!!!!!. In the meantime - let's all get behind the man, even if with reservations - of which I have to say, I personally, have some for considered good reason. Prove me wrong - and I will be well pleased. COYB. Onwards and Upwards. !!

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thechangingman added 18:18 - Jan 10 It really is a horrible realisation when you wake up and accept the true position and level of your beloved football club. Paul Jewell? It's not exactly a rip-roaring signing to inspire and excite us is it? I realise that the party-line on here will be, get behind him at all costs and I understand that. I will do so, I just need a day or two to let the painful truth set in: I.e. We really can't attract very good managers. Sigh. I guess we'll make do and mend instead... Paul Jewell's Ipswich Town? Am I the only one who thinks that's going to take some getting used to?

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trctorby31 added 18:22 - Jan 10 Good luck Paul, Jason Roberts in by friday then...
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BlueArmy01 added 18:24 - Jan 10 Wish Paul all the best come on you BLUES........... But doesn't seem to fit somehow..........anyway lets get behind the team and see where it takes us.
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RomfordBlue added 18:28 - Jan 10 Agree with mikeybloo88 re Chirpswich etc - I had already decided not to renew my season ticket if Keane was still there - but now, we're off again. 20 month of dragging us down will need some rebuilding. Player and fans are at a low ebb but I think Jewell could pull us back. Welcome Paul and good luck - you will certainly have my support!
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Worcester added 18:44 - Jan 10 Always respected this guy ever since the 98 season. Often seen him on Sky sports and thought "wish he was our manager", if I am honest I have felt like that as far back a as Magic. But now we've got him I could agree more with BlueArmy01...something doesn't feel right? Maybe it was his time at Derby that has soured my thoughts a bit? Is the fact that we were all dreaming and Curb's was mentioned a lot? Academic now anyway. I agree with a lot of what has been said. He is astraight forward, clear thinking/talking chap and a good asset. Will he have the cash? No Bl**dy chance. Could he get the best out of loan players? Yes I think he could. I think he is a better man manager than RK. Glad RK had gone. I was sick of all the admissions that we've got to do better and stating the obvious. Wouldn't it be interesting to know who else if anyone they interviewed? Anyone know someone who works in the office?

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h32 added 18:48 - Jan 10 radiogaga - get real and get a life. What are you doing other than moaning about someone ??
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nkotb_sect5 added 18:55 - Jan 10 Looking forward to watching the football again and to enjoy my season ticket. Not settling for mediocrity but not expecting the Chumps League within 12 months ether, as after RK appointment. Is he related to Joe Royle? Spooky. Great first day.
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mikeybloo88 added 18:55 - Jan 10 I really don't know if peeps are being serious when they say "just shows that we can't attract good managers anymore". Who do they really expect we can get? Of available managers, we'd probably all arguably say O'Neill and Hodgson are the best, but we've no chance at getting them, they're Prem managers fullstop. Then there's Curbs, Megson, Hughton, Jewell, Laws, Ferguson - all much of a muchness really. Curbs probably the best top flight record, but Jewell's Prem record is equal to Megson and better than any of the others. So he is about the best we could get, people, if we're realistic.

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tomsta97 added 19:00 - Jan 10 Not a great choice. BUT a lot better than megson. Good luck Paul, PLEASE sign a striker. COYB!!!!!!!!!!!
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moomoosereni added 19:01 - Jan 10 mikeybloo88 I agree. Some Town fans seem to think that we can attract the very best and therefore won't settle for what is one of the better managers out of the ones left. Look what happened on Skysports when Roy Keane was appointed manager, it was literally taking up 20 mins nearly of their 1 hour show rotations. Granted there was some other big news today in football (Dalglish, Beckham etc) but perhaps this appointment has been made with football in mind as opposed to RK's appointment which clearly had a PR undertone to it. COYB

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tomsta97 added 19:02 - Jan 10 Not a great choice BUT BETTER THAN MEGSON. COYB!!!!!!!!!
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Mark added 19:07 - Jan 10 For those saying Jewell is not a good choice, how many other 46-year-old football managers are there who have three promotions on their CV? Two promotions were to the Premier League, and both times he kept those clubs (Bradford and Wigan) up. He speaks well, has the right ideas and will put a smile back on the faces of the players and the fans. Let's all get behind him so we can pull away from the relegation zone!

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OnlyOneSuperJim added 19:12 - Jan 10 Good Luck Paul - An Excellent choice at think he will stabilise the club and although we may have indifferent results between now and the end of the season its because Keane has left such a mess. Jewell said and lot of good things in his Press Conference and very excited to have a proper manager running this club again.
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grumpyoldman added 19:13 - Jan 10 I've got this wonderful original idea, until Mr Jewel has taken control of team affairs, made a few signings, loan or otherwise, dictated what style his team will play, got a few games under his belt, dealt with the media, can all supporters give the bloke a chance. All the crap about what he did in the past has no relevance to what he does at this club, Burley did brilliantly here on limited resources, since leaving he has not been that great, Bobby before he came here was not that great but look what he achieved. For gods sake give him a chance, I am not over the moon about the appointment but he should at least be given our support & encouragement

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bluebrit added 19:14 - Jan 10 It looks like it's curtains for Tony and Charlie. Let's hope their legacy is not two heavy defeats.
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jas0999 added 19:14 - Jan 10 radiogaga - um no - you are wrong I am afraid. My opinion is we should back the manager and support the team as I will - even though personally I am disappointed with the appointment. I simply point out that only 7% of voters picked him as their preference. This is a fact I am afraid. Please don't assume anything about other posters and state YOUR own opinion rather than worry about mine.

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Dalty added 19:16 - Jan 10 As others have also said, nowhere near my first choice (would have preferred someone like Tisdale or Howe), but hope people get behind him and the team and bring some much-needed positive atmosphere back to Portman Road. Hopefully his time out of the game has helped him work out why he failed when he's previously managed clubs of similar size to Ipswich (the press conference sounded promising in this respect). He's been successful at smaller clubs, with less fanbase/tradition/expectation, so the challenge will be translating those skills to work in a bigger, more pressurised environment for the first time. I hope the sex scandal tape doesn't affect him winning the respect of the players. Most footballers are hardly saints, so fingers crossed this doesn't work against him. He should be refreshed by the break, and certainly has a point to prove so won't be short of energy or determination. He should bring more positivity to the football club, which will be as essential as anything else to help us get up the table. I'm sure his contacts in football will be very good at this level too and, as we've found to our cost previously, he certainly knows how to get teams up from this division. While initially underwhelmed by the appointment, I'd still rather have him here than a long-ball merchant and hope all fans put their reservations to one side and give the man a chance. It's right for fans to expect progress, but hope people are realistic enough to know it may take a couple of years at least to get a team challenging for promotion out of a very competitive league.

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bluelady added 19:23 - Jan 10 with everyone shortening his name to PJ its a good job his name isnt Bob!!!
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