Town are close to naming former Wolves, Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Millwall boss Mick McCarthy as their new manager, according to national newspaper reports. The 53-year-old and ex-Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley have always been viewed as the frontrunners to succeed Paul Jewell since the Liverpudlian’s exit by mutual consent last week.

If confirmed, McCarthy is expected to be joined at Portman Road by his former Wolves assistant Terry Connor with former Blues skipper Matt Holland, who played for the one-time centre-half with Ireland, believed to be another prospective member of the Barnsley-born boss’s staff.

A three-year deal is understood to be on the table for McCarthy, who has been out of work since leaving Wolves in February after more than five years at Molineux.

In the summer he spoke to Nottingham Forest about their vacancy prior to Sean O’Driscoll’s appointment, while more recently he has been linked with the likes of Bolton, Burnley, Blackburn and Crystal Palace.

Town chief executive Simon Clegg said last week that he was hoping to have the new appointment in place before Saturday's game at Birmingham City.

Photo: Action Images

Ryorry added 02:24 - Oct 30 Jamesmostevens - rather neatly put & sums it up. Same as many others, MM wouldn't have been my first choice - till the Shef Weds game. After that & the revelations by Wellens, it's clear that we are in the deepest do-do, and I now consider MM the safest pair of hands to stop us dropping catastrophically down the divisions, Bradford style. Like the sound of his team too, wouldn't have wanted Matty as no. 2 but as a no. 3 he can learn about management for the future (hopefully with us!), bring the arm round the shoulder good cop style to balance MM's rocket-up-the-jacksi with the disruptive element in the dressing room, and also act as a link between club and supporters. Plus there's the added spice and fun (I hope) of watching how so much better and more successful a manager MM will be for us than RK! Bring him on please, this is the most important signing we ever made since SBR, just don't screw this one up please Cleggers.

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Tufty added 03:36 - Oct 30 Know a wolves fan who couldnt understand why they sacked him. Players will give 100% or not play for Mick. After saturdays disgrace perhaps this will be a turning point. Whoever takes over has one hell of a job to do. Only one thing certain the blue army will be there at the head of the survival fight.
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rymall93 added 04:43 - Oct 30 As long as we get three points every week we can play the worlds most unattractive football ever! I really hope this appointment comes true! MICK MCARTHYS BLUE AND WHITE ARMY!!!!!!
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AndrewPC added 04:44 - Oct 30 The speed with which Town appear to have reached adecision from 35 candidates and a short list of perhaps 5 or 6 is alarming. It looks like "panic" stations". We swing wildly from one set of aspirations to another. Admittedly our current situation looms large in any decsion. However, if we do avoid relegation, what then ? Do we build ITFC around Mick McCarthy ? I do think , given our immediate problems and those managers who are avaialble/affordable, he is up amongst the best. I will back him too if he comes. However, I am not convinced that we as fans will like what we see once the initial fire fighting our way out of relegation has been accomplished. Hope I am proved wrong !

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kevlowestoft added 04:51 - Oct 30 This will see me return to Portman Road. 43 points from 33 games.... achievable. Go get em MM.
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skankerman added 05:32 - Oct 30 Not my first choice but how the stories have unravelled this week it would be a strong appointment and I will back him 100% Welcome to Portman Rd Mick make us proud again
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skankerman added 05:40 - Oct 30 This isn't a quick panic signing I bet this was verbally on the table a couple of weeks agoThat's how business is its a case of if this happens would you ??? Shrewd signing to sort out the poor performance both on and off the pitch Good luck lets get united behind Mick so he knows the support is with him when dealing with the money grabbing twitters !!!
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howsey51 added 06:10 - Oct 30 Hope he gets in Roy Keane as his assistant.
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Stato added 07:05 - Oct 30 yep he'll knock everyone into shape but there is more to management than that. not my choice but will support the team as always.
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BotesdaleBlue added 07:08 - Oct 30 Please, let's not get too excited it's not yet confirmed - this is Ipswich we are talking about. I have my fingers crossed it is true though
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Blue_Armee added 07:16 - Oct 30 Exactly what we need right now. Welcome Big Mick, Terry and SUPERMATT. NOW LETS ALL GET BEHIND OUR CLUB, TIME FOR ALL OF US TO BE POSITIVE AND PUSH OUR CLUB TO BACK WHERE WE BELONG. COYB
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Tommyc added 07:20 - Oct 30 Accepting that we are adrift at the bottom of the Championship and therefore not the most attractive of jobs, I seriously don't think we could have expected anyone better than Mick and personally I think his style of management is something that ITFC has needed for a little while now - not the "scare them to death" Keane approach but a firm hand on the tiller
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penguinsrus added 07:21 - Oct 30 do you know what this might not be every fans choice , but for years now ive felt we haven't have a manger who cares , who when we score they go crazy on the touch line , when we get a bad discussion or someone gets sent off and their really pI**ed off , they get sent to the stand !! no one with any passion , the players need a good kick up the a88ss ! this seaasons has got to be ugly now , no time for playing fancy football , we need to win soon ! if its ugly football who cares lets get behind him .

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WarkyWonderLand added 07:23 - Oct 30 A straight talking no nonsense Yorkshire and is what we need. 33 games to go and our season starts again. He will create a team, which rk and PJ did not do and make us compete again. And if matt h joins him in set up that would create a rapport between fans and the club straight away. Now for everyone to get behind mm and the team. Coyb
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oldtimer3 added 07:25 - Oct 30 very unlucky to lose his job at wolves. get him in quick before he changes his mind.
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Bob7881 added 07:27 - Oct 30 I Hope he's the one always admired his honesty when interviewed by the press. He only wants team players so its a yes from me Mick.
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dannyhegan added 07:28 - Oct 30 I agree with you murraybrunning
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stewartwonderland added 07:45 - Oct 30 Great news if true, exactly the right type of manager we need at this moment in time. It will be interesting to know who's idea it was to bring Matty Holland in as part of the set up, was it the club or does Mick rate him highly himself and wanted him in, either way I am we'll pleased with this.
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JustSpivvyChops added 07:46 - Oct 30 Another Lemming queue's up to jump off the Championship cliff. I can't believe anybody actually wants the job.
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Bergholtblue added 07:50 - Oct 30 Very happy with this! Especially as I gots of 25/1 at Paddy Power! Don't let me down Town get him signed then I can afford to go and celebrate; 1, my winnings, 2, we got a man that can do the job, 3, it wasn't Gary Megson.
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warbeat78 added 07:59 - Oct 30 Dont know where this come from no reports on radio or talk sports other than town being tight lipped. Then again there not going to make statement till final interviews over and done with
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bluefeast added 08:02 - Oct 30 He is not here yet ! I believe we should appoint him and his backroom staff. But with Ipswich i believe when i see. This could go wrong simply because im sure Mick will have a choice or two. So its down to the contract ,and all other detail . Fingers crossed as his experience and know how is vital at this time.
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TimmyH added 08:07 - Oct 30 We haven't interviewed him yet have we? but if Holland is part of the team it makes it that much better, I think we need some ex-Ipswich involvement in there! Certainly would sort Chopra and Co. out....
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bloowarmee added 08:15 - Oct 30 Very pleased if this is confirmed, and would be good to get Matt Holland back into the club - maybe an apprentice for the future. Was never keen on McCarthy in the past, but I have warmed to him in the last few years - above all he comes across as honest in interviews with a sense of humour. He can give us a bit of the Yorkshire grit that Sheff Wednesday showed on Saturday and let's face it, anyone who can send Roy Keane home from a World Cup should be able to sort out those not showing commitment.

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cantona11 added 08:15 - Oct 30 If true good appointment I don't agree with some saying it like RK all over again he has worlds of experience and managed a national side that fell out with RK he knows how to talk to people and I think we will all see the squad down size with all wasters got rid off big ask and we need to be patient it's not going to happen over night let's get behind who ever it is and push us up the table and get a team that looks like it can play in the prem cos I don't think with the players we have if we were top of the league we could cut it with the big boys

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