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McCarthy Set to Be Named New Town Boss
Tuesday, 30th Oct 2012 19:30

TWTD understands that Mick McCarthy will be confirmed as Town’s new manager in the next couple of days with his Wolves assistant Terry Connor and with former Blues skipper Matt Holland as part of his staff. McCarthy has been favourite to succeed Paul Jewell since he was reported to be in talks with Town at the end of last week.

The 53-year-old was sacked by Wolves after six years in charge in February. His assistant, one-time England U21 international Connor, took over for the remainder of the season but couldn’t prevent the Black Country club from dropping into the Championship.

Born in Barnsley, centre-half McCarthy played for his hometown club, Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall as well as winning 57 caps and scoring two goals for the Republic of Ireland, the country of his father’s birth.

He began his management career with the Lions in 1992 before moving on to manage his former national side in 1996, a spell which saw his famous clash with ex-Blues boss Roy Keane at the 2002 World Cup.

A few months after that tournament — in which Holland was a regular in the Ireland midfield — McCarthy resigned, joining Sunderland as their boss in March 2003, taking the Black Cats into the Premier League in 2004/05. Having failed to keep them in the top flight the following season he was fired.

In July 2006 he took over at Wolves and led them into the Premier League as Championship winners in 2008/09 and kept them there until his exit in February.

Connor, 49, was a striker with Leeds, Brighton, Portsmouth, Swindon, Bristol City and Yeovil during his playing days.

After hanging up his boots, he coached at Swindon, Bristol Rovers and Bristol City before being taken to Wolves by John Ward in 1999.

In February he took over after McCarthy’s sacking, rejoining the backroom team under new boss StÃ¥le Solbakken. But four games into this season he left the club.

Holland, 38, needs no introduction to Town supporters having played at Portman Road between 1997 and 2003 during which time he skippered the side in the 2000 play-off final victory over Barnsley at Wembley.

Previously with West Ham and Bournemouth, Holland moved on to Charlton before retiring in 2009. More recently the Bury-born midfielder, who won 49 Ireland caps, scoring five times, has been working in the media and is the patron of the ITFC Charitable Trust.

Blues skipper Carlos Edwards previously played for McCarthy during a two-month spell on loan at Wolves in 2008, making five starts and one sub appearance.

Loanee Daryl Murphy was signed from his hometown club Waterford United during McCarthy's time as Sunderland boss, after he had had trials at Portman Road.

Coach Mark Kennedy previously worked with the new boss as a youngster at Millwall and for the Republic of Ireland.


Photo: Action Images



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Gazelle added 19:53 - Oct 30
adrianpaz Hear Hear
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Bugs added 19:53 - Oct 30
You can still get 1/4 on betvictor if anyone is interested
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Arthur added 19:54 - Oct 30
Welcome to Portman Road Mick Mac

You have some work to do but I think you are the man for the job.

Best of luck
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Kampo added 19:54 - Oct 30
Anyone with a dislike of Keane is fine by me, just hope he can get them organised and out if this mess (not an easy task)
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BoxerBlue added 19:54 - Oct 30
Chuffed ta bits if true like
COYB!!
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rosseden added 19:54 - Oct 30
does it sound like sparky kennedy might stay on as part of the coaching then phil or not?
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bluemikey100 added 19:54 - Oct 30
excellent news mick matt and terrys blue army cmon
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tractordamage added 19:55 - Oct 30
Good news I reckon! He's probably the most appropriate man for the job, and it's been done fairly quickly.

With one of the best squads (on paper) in the Championship, we needed someone with a tactical head - even if we'll get a few more long balls now - because Jewell seemed to be lacking in that department. Although to give Jewell credit, he proved we CAN attract players (unlike the Roy Keane era).
Now we need some tactics to put it all together.

Let's hope we get a manager 'bounce' and some good immediate results to put us back in the mix.
The fightback begins...and that includes us in the stands.

COYFB
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OrkneyBlue added 19:56 - Oct 30
Couldn't agree more with adrianpaz, well said.
Lets all unite and back the manager and his team, OUR team.

COYB
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AbujaBlue added 19:56 - Oct 30
My heart says Holloway but my heads says McCarthy. This (if true) is the right choice given the circumstances - the deadwood have to go.
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carlisleaway added 19:57 - Oct 30
Agree with adrianpaz, this club has been split for far to long. Let us all get behind the new manager and give him our 100% support. What is more important Ipswich Town Football Club or any individual.
Let us start at Birmingham and Palace with great away support and hope by the time we next play at home, the library will be shut !!
if it is McCarthy he has one hell of a job to clear the rubbish that do not want to play for our once great club,success will be inching our way out of the bottom 3 at the moment.
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Guthrum added 19:57 - Oct 30
stevebluey - a good Assistant doesn't always make a good Manager.

Slightly cautious welcome from me. One of the better options available, will hopefully do well.
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footyblue added 19:58 - Oct 30
@stevebluey that is because he is a coach and not a manager some coaches can't make that step up, but by all accounts a very good coach COYB
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ericclacton added 19:58 - Oct 30
Just poured myself a large one, CHEERS everyone. here's to success with Mick Mac.
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Talbs77 added 20:01 - Oct 30
ITFC1981, that youtube post absolutely killed me!!!
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TheCodFather added 20:02 - Oct 30
Watch out Chopra and JET, Mick's gonna be having words...
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tractorman9 added 20:05 - Oct 30
Good luck Mick - welcome to our great club - all the best and turn our season around - onward and upward !!
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thebeat added 20:05 - Oct 30
not 100% convinced on this i think its another quick fix from Evans.Would have preffered a younger manager like Di Canio or Robinson with a long term plan who would have changed the whole footballing ethos of the club.
Thats not to say i wont get behind Mick, i will give my total backing at the matches and think we all should now wipe the slate clean and cheer us to safety
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bluefeast added 20:06 - Oct 30
We Need a song
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marcus9 added 20:08 - Oct 30
cant say im a mcarthy fan but i wish him well if he is the man i will get behind him and the team and im sure things will improve . one upside is i bet chopra will be sorted out or moved out
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Bergholtblue added 20:08 - Oct 30
BBC are reporting that 'its far from a done deal' and Sky sports say that McCarthy is 'in advanced talks'.

Please Mick, just sign and put and end to this torment!

Get Hutchins out before Saturday!
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Edmunds5 added 20:08 - Oct 30
Very pleased with the appointment if true, welcome Mick full support from me and wish you all the best. Welcome to Terry too and welcome back Matty. Hopefully exciting times ahead.
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TimmyH added 20:09 - Oct 30
Let's fill the stadium up for his first game a week saturday, and hope this is the start of a new chapter in our History!
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StuartBrett8 added 20:09 - Oct 30
should have been done 10 hours ago lol
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blueblood66 added 20:11 - Oct 30
Yes, the right choice and as predicted Matty Holland comes home!
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