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Town Confirm McCarthy and Connor to Leave at End of Season
Thursday, 29th Mar 2018 10:38

Town have confirmed that manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor will be leaving Portman Road at the end of the season.

McCarthy met owner Marcus Evans on Wednesday night and, according to a statement on the club website, “decided the move was in the best interest of all parties”.

The former Ireland boss, who took over at Portman Road in November 2012, and Connor will stay in charge for the remainder of the season. The duo's contract is up in the summer.

“Mick and I had a discussion and we both agreed that this was the best way forward for him and for Ipswich Town,” Evans told the club website.

“It never got to the point where we actually talked about a new contract. It just felt right that it was time for us both to look at different options. “Mick has been a fantastic manager for this football club, ably supported by Terry who has also been invaluable in the development of the team.

“When Mick arrived, we looked to be on the way to relegation. He saved us from that and then took us to the play-offs within two years.

“In his six years here he has made us a very competitive club in what is a very competitive league. No one looks forward to playing Ipswich.

“He has also been instrumental in developing our youth policy and has overseen the progress of a number of our young players from the academy into the first-team and nurtured their development in line with the club’s strategy.

“He’s immensely popular with all the staff at Portman Road and has built a strong backroom team who will provide important continuity as we move into a new era.

“On a personal note, I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with him which is vital between owner and manager at any football club.

“Mick will see out his contract here and then we will look to make an announcement regarding his successor in due course.

“In the meantime, I want to put on record my sincere thanks to Mick for the job he has done here as our manager and urge supporters to get behind him and the players so that we can finish the season as strongly as possible.”

McCarthy added: “I had a good discussion with Marcus and we feel this is the right thing to do for me and for Ipswich Town.

“I have loved my time here and I am proud of what I have achieved over the last six years - and the relationship I have enjoyed with the players and all the staff at the club in that time.

“I won’t be leaving with any regrets. I have given everything for Ipswich Town and I will see out my contract in the same way.”


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warwickblueboy added 11:20 - Mar 29
Finally some long overdue good news!
Frankly can't believe some people are being so kind here - treated fans with contempt at times and his negative tactics were awful. Also, is undying loyalty to some players meant we rarely saw our potentially best team being played.
He wouldn't have lasted anywhere near as long at most clubs!
Hope for a progressive, forwarding thinking manager who wants to play football as it should be played and in the best itfc tradition.
I do hope it means we'll end the season with a feeling of positivity in readiness for next season.
Now he's got nothing to lose I bet he'll suddenly play more expansive football though.
Too late MM
14

BlueBlood90 added 11:21 - Mar 29
This is the correct decision all round. Well done to Marcus Evans for not playing safe.

I would like to thank McCarthy and Connor for their efforts. It hasn't always been bad and the first 3 years were great. Good luck wherever you go.
12

bluearmy78 added 11:22 - Mar 29
This definitely is the right decision, Mick got bought in to do a job & kept us up when we were a dead cert to go down. He's had us in the playoffs on a shoestring budget but over the last 2 seasons he has lost the fans with his negative tactics & clearly picks his favourites! This is now an ideal time to pick the right man (men) who can get the team playing entertaining football & getting bums back on the seats at PR, let's just hope that Evans gives the new management the right backing!
8

northblue added 11:25 - Mar 29
Thanks Mick&Terry for what you have done for the club. I hope you have a good future.
4

flyingdutchman added 11:26 - Mar 29
As tractorboy suggest we should give him a great send off i agree the same F k OFF he gave the surporters at norwich
8

rickw added 11:27 - Mar 29
Thank you Mick, but the right decision has been made by all here
4

Pencilpete added 11:27 - Mar 29
Correct decision and time for the hostilities to end right now. Mick DID do a good job with the budget he had and let's remember him for that and not the sad way it ended. Thanks Mick and all the best :)
3

essextractorboy93 added 11:30 - Mar 29
Sad to see this and people forget what a great job he has done but feel that this change is needed. Mick saved us from being relegated to League 1 and turned us into promotion contenders on almost no money. He is leaving us in a much better position than we were in when he arrived. Thank you Mick!
2

yungblue added 11:33 - Mar 29
‘I have enjoyed a great relationship with the players and staff'. Still digging fans until the last day. Sour end a good first 2 and a half, and a terrible second two and a half.

Best thing for all concerned, successors rumours will begin shortly.
5

portman_blue added 11:34 - Mar 29
Hopefully he will take some of his deadwood players with him to his next club.....
3

BluePatriot added 11:37 - Mar 29
If we get the wally with the brolly I will blame the morons
-4

brendenward35 added 11:40 - Mar 29
ok folks lets start the debate about who going to be the new manager this webpage is quite interesting http://www.thesackrace.com/job-centre
1

poldark added 11:41 - Mar 29
Good riddance Dino go and wreck another club best news for along time to get from ITFC
0

itfchorry added 11:42 - Mar 29
Take Baxterwasbest with you
8

thundercat600 added 11:42 - Mar 29
Although this is the correct decision, who is out there that would be prepared to put their reputation on the line by coming to Ipswich bearing in mind how MM and to a lesser extent TC have been treated, the second part of the question who is out there that's any good with a proven track record. Yep ME could take on an inexperienced manager but how long would he or she be given before they would also get the hot air treatment
0

TimmyH added 11:43 - Mar 29
After 3, a 1 2 1 2 3 "the sun has got his hat on hip hip hip hooray the sun has got his hat on and he's coming out to play" :)

Good news, no way could he carry on for another 2 seasons, I reckon he was told the news a week or so back when he looked dishevelled and disinterested in the interviews. Mick did a good job for the first 3 seasons but after that it had all become very average with little entertainment.

Let's hope for a bright new horizon and that Evans chooses wisely (not McLaren).
6

Taricco_Fan added 11:43 - Mar 29
The best outcome for all concerned. Once there is a breakdown between manager and fans it's game over.

I thank McCarthy for what he has done. Whilst I don't like his style of football, the sometimes strange first team selections and his prickly attitude to the fans, he has performed admirably on a meagre budget. We're almost punching above our weight in mid-table.

All the best Mick. He'll be back in a job in no time and probably with a bigger budget to work with. It will be interesting to see how it works out for him.
8

Blue_Moses added 11:44 - Mar 29
I've been very careful what I wished for...and it was this!
14

finidi added 11:44 - Mar 29
"Loved the relationship I have enjoyed with the staff, all the players at that time"" havn,t you forgot something THE FANS, forgot you stuck two fingers up at them.
If I was taking over as manager, which is unlikely although might drop a cv in.
I would want to know from Marcus Evans, his vision for the future of the club, and how much money he is going to make available for transfers.
8

Jonnosdreadlocks added 11:45 - Mar 29
Pity Evans won't pay him off and let him go now and let a new manager take over for last couple of months, for financial reason I can see why that won't happen. Yes Mick did well initially and getting us to the playoffs but he was rewarded for that and since then its been backwards. Add to that horrendous, negative Football, blatant favouritism (Skuse, Chambers, Knudsen undroppable cos they are proper blokes), arrogance beyond belief, telling the fans to f off, playing guys out of position and ruining them (Sears) it all adds up to a rather sad end but brought on by MM. Some Clubs have been to Div 1 and up to the PL in the time Ipswich have been in the Championship and now a whole generation of fans have not known us even play in English Football's top flight. Throw Evans' terrible handling of this into the mix and its easy to see why this has dragged on for at least two seasons. Personally I want an old boy (yes I know some will say x's has done nothing) but right now we need someone who knows the club, can reconnect with the fans and knows proper Football. Winning is never guaranteed but playing the Ipswich way is and that is what has always been missing since day one of MM s tenure. I would take any of the following former Town players or combos: Taricco, Yallop, Butcher, Osman, Mariner, Mcgreal, Mowbray or even give Bryan Klug a go.
8

poldark added 11:45 - Mar 29
Will be back at PR next season happy days
1

floridaboy added 11:48 - Mar 29
Best decision for everyone but will Evans now throw the fans a finger and employ McClaren
2

wychyblue added 11:49 - Mar 29
He has done ok and that is all . We all want more than ok though.He has done his best which has turned out average. It is the right move but only if the new manager is better obviously. Glen Hoddle would be one of my choice's but please amaze make the right one
3

wychyblue added 11:49 - Mar 29
Or Paul Cook from Wigan
9

poldark added 11:52 - Mar 29
Can't believe people on here he single handily wrecked a decent club he totally dismissed fans and sticks two fingers up at YOU who now say good things about him
11


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