Former boss George Burley has confirmed that he will be applying for his old job at Portman Road. The 56-year-old Scot took the Blues into the Premier League and then the UEFA Cup in a successful spell in charge between 1994 and 2002.

Speaking to Radio Suffolk, Burley said he would be applying: “Of course. My life has been around Ipswich all my football career virtually, since I was a 15-year-old. It’s in my blood.

“I’m moving back to Suffolk soon as well. Anything you can do for the club, you do. When you’ve been involved with it for so long it’s something you don’t forget.”

The former full-back recently left Cypriot side Apollon Limassol after a brief spell in charge.

Two of Burley’s team-mates, Mick Mills and Terry Butcher, have also been linked with the role.

The former centre-half looks more likely to be a potentially serious contender — terrace rumours having circulated about a Town approach earlier in the month - while Mills has been out of management for some years.

Striker Michael Chopra has suggested his former Newcastle team-mate Alan Shearer as Paul Jewell’s replacement and says he wishes the ex-Blues boss well: “A disappointing day yesterday with Paul Jewell leaving. I want to wish Paul all the best in the future.

"Now a massive game Saturday, need to get this great club back where it belongs. Who do the fans want as manager?

“I would love to see Alan Shearer as manager such a good person and worked and played under some great managers including Sir Bobby Robson.”

Former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley is seen as the favourite by most of this morning’s national newspapers.

As reported last night, Dougie Freedman has completed his move to Bolton.

Photo: Action Images

Lightningboy added 13:51 - Oct 25 "IF" George was to get it - we should give him a minimum 5 year deal and just let him get on with it. Far too much money has been thrown at players since Evans took over - it's not the way we've ever done things and doesn't guarantee success - as proved. Burley,Klug and a young future coach/manager would work wonders for our morale.
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warbeat78 added 13:54 - Oct 25 Whoever is appointed it is important to keep our style of football and general itfc traits in place as much as possible because this is how we gained our good name & respect in football home and abroad
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MonterreyBlue added 14:00 - Oct 25 I think somewhere amongst the line up there needs to be an "Ipswich Connection" as i believe we have completely lost our identity, our relationship with the Club is at an all time low and sadly, there are no heroes in the team anymore like almost the entire team of 2000 who we used to worship so much. Those days, is used to be tough to know whos name to get on your shirt because we loved them all, these days, its a job to pick one and half of them are on lone anyway. i know its a really basic comparison, but its true, for me anyway. My first choice is Mowbray, bringing with him Venus and Clapham, that kills two birds as we get a good manager and Ipswich connection. After that, one of: Shearer, Di Canio, Butcher, Burley, last resort Mcarthy. All of these must have Matt Holland included in the set up. I want my Club back and i want my heroes back. COYB

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oldegold added 14:00 - Oct 25 GEORGE BURLEY + MICK MILLS yes !
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Hatman added 14:01 - Oct 25 Curbs and Holland please. Curbs never sacked, never failed, took West Ham off bottom of Prem planted them safely in mid table. Took Charlton from 3rd tier and left them a mid table Prem club. If he could do the same for ITFC - that'll do me after the last 10 years of Championship mediocrity.
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mannos6 added 14:06 - Oct 25 I'd have George burley back here.. People say it never works coming back... How much worse can it get if we go down George has the know how to rebuild a squad and get success and goes with youth. Along with other comments have klug as number 2 and have him groomed for future keep the club within the club that's what it's about. Think we should be gratefull someone's shows real passion for this club and wants to succeed with ipswich Just remember we're bottom no win in 10. Half the team not ours. It's not going to be a easy job... We sound really advertising!!!

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wychyblue added 14:11 - Oct 25 good shout Hatman
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charsfield added 14:15 - Oct 25 besides palace, burley has a track record of success. no idea what this whole cyprus thing was about though, mind.
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BlueSax added 14:35 - Oct 25 Burley has had 6 teams in 10 years since leaving town and half of those he's had the sack ! I wouldn't classify that as successful - he's definately had his ups and downs and proved to be an average manager. I don't know about anyone else but I'm thinking its time for some success at portman road and really hope it's a big name and not a sentimental backward step, for years more of the same .

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clint_eastwood added 14:39 - Oct 25 Not a bad tactition, reads the game well, good on judging players ability & potential BUT poor at communicating with players!! But I'll have him back though.....yeah, just come on HOME, Georgie Boy!!!
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JewellintheTown added 14:45 - Oct 25 If anyones interested, Burley had a 45.5% win ration with us. Joe Royal 42%, Magilton just under 38%, Jewell & Keane just over 34%. Have to go back to Alf Ramsey @ 47.7% to do any better. Even Sir Bob only got 44.6%. Well, thats according to Wikipedia anyway so not necessary completely accurate. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ipswich_Town_F.C._managers
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bluesman added 14:57 - Oct 25 Love the club is not a bad start
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activeblue added 15:11 - Oct 25 Would George be that bad ? When bookies make gary megson 8/1 jay 3rd fav
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62WasBest added 15:14 - Oct 25 If Chopra thinks Shearer would make a good manager I question the mentality of some of our players and their judgement! What has Shearer done in management? Is his managerial activity at Newcastle any better than Jewell's here? I think not.
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activeblue added 15:16 - Oct 25 Got to be somebody who kick some a##e and get players playing and not afraid to use youngsters.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 15:17 - Oct 25 Ok, let him have it to the end of the season, and see how he does. It's not as if we could sink any lower in the table!!!
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tomisamos added 15:48 - Oct 25 I still wonder whether Royle may have had more success had he had the money the likes of Jewell, Keane and Magilton were given to throw about. Or whether Magilton would have got us up had he not been given too much money to waste on players who didn't care about Ipswich at all like Norris or if Keane had never sold Rhodes... Wow. We need someone proven and experienced to sort this club out. Curbs is my favourite, some of the other names thrown about make me a bit more nervous.

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osborne1nil added 15:48 - Oct 25 A big yes from me. George is ITFC through and through and the thought of seeing some of the attractive football Town was playing under him.
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jocasaja added 15:51 - Oct 25 Burley with Matt Holland and Mick Mills in a director of football role ! - get back a bit of that unique ITFC family feel - COYB!!!
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Southamptonblue added 15:58 - Oct 25 Remember what happened at Liverpool a little while ago? They were in the doldrums and decided to bring back an old manager from decades ago. Remember how that worked out?
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TractorTrog added 16:12 - Oct 25 The old Guard coming to the Clarian call to arms God bless them for that!!! George Burly for me was a very good Manager and would welcome him back with open arms he is Ipswich through and through...Mick Mills is very astute I listen to his match comentery on Radio Suffolk and everything he says about the match is spot on I want someone Like Mick in that hot seat he really knows what!!! bring on GB and MM they know the score!!!

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dirtydingusmagee added 16:31 - Oct 25 well i wouldnt be too miffed if GB got back with Town ,we should have stuck with him in first place, after all he did nobody has achieved more since , he is a good Town man .Cant honestly see him getting job though, if it go's same way as last two appointments it will be a stooge nobody had really considered.Just waiting for someone to say they've see Jose getting off a train in Ipswich .

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kerryblue added 16:59 - Oct 25 Wouldnt be my number one and could we keep him dry?Too many at this club already with addictions and we suffer on the pitch over it
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Liverpool_blu added 17:28 - Oct 25 I would have burley back in a heartbeat. With Matt Holland as his no.2
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runaround added 17:47 - Oct 25 Burley is a better candidate than some that are being linked. Plus points are he knows ITFC and what makes the club special. Minuses are his last 2 jobs haven't gone too well. But at least he has experience, recent experience unlike Shearer or Holland. Whoever gets the job will be a gamble as there is no outstanding candidate and all have things that go against them, but GB would be toward the top of my list

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