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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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ericgatesrules added 07:45 - Oct 31
I think ME and SC have made the right choice. Backsides need kicking and our strongest team available identified quickly. Going on Saturday for the first time this season and sincerely hope Mick is in the dugout giving direction and encouragement. Good luck Mick, Terry and Matt. Up the Town
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happybeingblue added 08:02 - Oct 31
i suppose its cleggy time now then!! watch him balls this up too!!
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bluestu71 added 08:03 - Oct 31
If this is true I'll be very happy, COYB
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simonsays added 08:13 - Oct 31
Excellent news if it happens. Like that Holland will be part of it too.
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Gazelle added 08:17 - Oct 31
Please, please everyone don't expect miracles from day one. The Club is very sick and like all medicines it takes a bit of time before they start to work.
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happybeingblue added 08:29 - Oct 31
tickets for town fans at birmingham away saturday are £1 for u19s - clegg take note!
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Hatman added 09:02 - Oct 31
Still hope Curbs/Holland come through..., but if it's going to be Big Mac let's crack on and get it done today, give him some 'kick-arse' time ahead of Saturday...!

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tractorollson added 09:19 - Oct 31
This is so the right appointment! Keane was a bully, jewel not strong enough, mick is the balance! Convinced he would of kept Wolves up had they not got rid, connor is an ezxcellent number 2, hes not a manager, thats what mick is! Welcome Mick and COYB!!
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Brogansconk added 09:37 - Oct 31
Fantastic news - always admired Mick, and also fantastic to have a team with him including our best captain of recent years. Welcome to Portman Road Mick.
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HALLSJ added 09:56 - Oct 31
As a Staffordshire born/based Town all I can say is it cant get worse, improvements soon to be seen. Welcome Mick, good luck and lets see some wins on the board. COYB
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Osbourne_One_Nil added 10:50 - Oct 31
Best of Luck Mick , as the Anti-Keane maybe you can restore the pride and the passion
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bluepeter added 11:07 - Oct 31
Well said tractorollson!
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walberswick added 11:08 - Oct 31
Terry Connor. I'd rather we kept Chris Hutchings and I think he's rubbish.
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Walk_the_Wark added 11:08 - Oct 31
Bad news...Not a long term appt. He will keep us up, but not an Ipswich man I'm afraid...sigh
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brendenward35 added 12:49 - Oct 31
Got a horrible feeling about this taking too long to get sorted :-( bet we end up with plan D
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RetroBlue added 13:01 - Oct 31
So what is going on at the Club? Because it all seems a bit odd that there has been no official unveiling of the new manager. Now the local rag runs a story indicating that Holloway may be in with a shout shortly after they run an article announcing what McCarthy will be paid and the length of his contract.

WHAT IS HAPPENING??....... WHO is our new manager?
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farquinell added 13:15 - Oct 31
Welcome ! you are just what we need ! it will be good to see ipswich playing with some passion again which has sadly been missing since Big Joe left.
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kerryblue added 13:23 - Oct 31
Great news im delighted and the likes of Chopra will be moved on,good luck Mick
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alfromcol added 13:37 - Oct 31
Should lead to the average height of players signed, increasing. Big McC likes tall men!
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Barbs_itfc added 13:41 - Oct 31
Sounds like a great combo to me, an experienced manager with a good quality assistant and well Holland speaks for himself, a True Blue and will get those players fired up! COYB
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hairbear added 13:47 - Oct 31
Just heard on sky sports news that Holland WONT be part of Micks coaching team. Ill be very disappointed if this is the case. His involvement was a big part of my enthusiasm for this appointment.
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churchmansboy added 13:49 - Oct 31
Socks not initially blown off by this appointment, but then again the Matty Holland scenario is interesting.
The brief surely is to install some discipline, keep us up (see Mick Mccarthy) and also build for the future (see Matty Holland). so upon reflection, I am chuffed.
Come on boys sort this shambles out.....
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TheRef added 13:58 - Oct 31
well he wont be getting my backing, i backed Roy Keane to be a big hit, got that bloody wrong, i also backed PJ 100%, got that bloody wrong too, well this time i'm not backing him, i hope he fails, i hope we get relegated and i never want to win the lottery. reverse psychology, lets hope that works, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaase work, COYB, xx
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Foreverdon_Blue added 14:03 - Oct 31
If this is all true then this is a very good appointment and is just what Town need at the moment. We need a disciplinarian who will sort these lazy players we have out and hopefully get the best out of them. Fingers crossed now that the new management team can keep us up!
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Lightningboy added 15:26 - Oct 31
The tractor seems to have stalled...?

What is going on?
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