Town U21s coach Mark Kennedy is leaving the Blues this summer to coach Manchester City's U15s, TWTD understands.

Kennedy, 40, was brought to Portman Road by his former international team-mate Roy Keane in the summer of 2010 when he signed him for a fee of £75,000 from Cardiff City.

Having made 34 starts and three sub appearances for Town without scoring, the one-time Millwall, Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves and Crystal Palace man began coaching at Playford Road late in the 2011/12 season.

Paul Jewell named him his U21s coach the following summer and the Dubliner continued in that role under his former Ireland and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy when he took over as boss in November 2012.

Kennedy, who won 34 caps with Ireland, scoring four goals, will take up his new role at City ahead of the new season, while McCarthy is yet to appoint his replacement.

[Update] Confirming Kennedy's exit, McCarthy told the club site: “We are disappointed to see Sparky go but we wish him all the best for the future."

Meanwhile, Town are among a number of Championship clubs claimed to be showing interest in Charlton midfielder Jordan Cousins.

The Addicks are reported to have rejected a bid from QPR, while the Blues, Norwich, Leeds, Reading and Fulham are also said to be keen on the 22-year-old, who came through the academy at The Valley.

QPR are said to be ready to make an increased offer and, even if they are interested, the Blues are unlikely to be able to compete with the financial power of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's side and some of the other clubs also believed to be in the running.

Photo: Action Images

harlingblue added 03:40 - Jul 7 Time for new blood to help The Academy grow? The U21 team have been poor performers in the games that I have watched at Playford Road. Time for a hard U21 Manager to push MM to use emerging players, or at least make this team worthy of being a decent Cup side for us supporters to enjoy. Of course we could pick our best 1st team on all occasions...that would be good!

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BrettenhamBlue added 05:19 - Jul 7 Some of the U21 football last year was plain awful. Hoofball in its rawest form. A new man in charge is an excellent idea.
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Bergholtblue added 09:04 - Jul 7 Keiron Dyer is already involved with the academy and if as he announced in 'I'm a celebrity' he hopes to manage Ipswich one day, this is the opportunity he needs to grasp with both hands and make a go of it.
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BrettenhamBlue added 09:09 - Jul 7 Any truth in us being linked to Hadi Sakho? That's a player I'd love to see at ITFC as I saw him play twice for the French U21 side. Fantastic skilful winger who works hard from start to finish!
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BrettenhamBlue added 09:12 - Jul 7 Forget previous post. I looked him up and see he's signed for Leeds. I think we were in for him though.
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rinkydinkpanther added 10:00 - Jul 7 Fair enough. City's U15s are no doubt at the same developmental stage as Town's U21s, at least, so it makes perfect sense. And, who knows? Maybe their U15s team wins the odd game or two. Kennedy must miss that.
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runningout added 16:15 - Jul 7 Can see us starting new season with same team from last minus Frazer... Not sure if that will be a good or bad thing, with the state of all footballers
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Geoff added 09:39 - Jul 8 No investment same old excuses another mid table season, aiming for top six if had real ambition would be aiming for top two. New owner required more positive manager forget FFP only an excuse for the invisible man to keep his wallet closed and fleece us fans.
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