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.

🗣"I went and spoke to Marcus and after having that chat we both decided that it's probably best if we go our separate ways."

Mick McCarthy to depart the Club at the end of his contract pic.twitter.com/nnwthDmKk7

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 29, 2018

“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.”

Photo: TWTD

Elizabeth added 11:52 - Mar 29 Well said Tactor Boy 1985 ! It is time for a change of personnel to hopefully bring some passion back to the club !
2

MaySixth added 11:54 - Mar 29 Thanks Mick
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RobTheMonk added 11:56 - Mar 29 A good decision. However, everyone slating Mick, please remember where we were post Jewell/Keane. It's not been perfect but we're still in the division. I'm personally happy to see him leave as I believe we've been stagnant for a while. Interesting future ahead.
4

TimmyH added 11:58 - Mar 29 I wouldn't feel to sorry for Mick - he's walked off with near £6M+ before taxes and achieved what? - a few will say saved us from certain relegation and scraped us in to the play-offs but for me he will be known for getting us playing the least entertaining football I can remember as an ITFC manager (yes worse than Duncan who had a higher win%) All the best though Mick and Terry I'm sure they'll be soon be at another club come August but I can guarantee you it won't be in the Premiership, will be interesting to see how they get on!

13

RoyalAscotBlue added 12:01 - Mar 29 One of my favourite films is The Shawshank Redemption. The film ends with Red making his way into his new life of freedom away from prison, with hope in his heart. “I find I'm so excited that I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel. A free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.” Hope is a wonderful thing. And for the first time, in a long time, I have hope again (in my football team). And I look forward to the summer of football ahead. I look forward to learning who our new manager will be, and I look forward to learning his thoughts on the approach he will take. I look forward to seeing what changes will be made to our squad and I look forward to the fixtures for next season coming out so I can plan which games I can get to. I hope.

10

eMeM added 12:02 - Mar 29 Although I was waiting for this news after last year's FA Cup failure against Lincoln I'm not happy that Evans never gave McCarthy a chance to spend money. I still think that he would do much better. It's going to be hard to find a manager who will be able to get better results without investment.
1

meekreech added 12:03 - Mar 29 Oh dear . That is the end of my attendance at pr and no renewal of my season ticket !!! No other manager could have achieved what mccarthy has with the resources at his disposal. Evans will be seen as throwing Mccarthy under the bus if he changes the parameters for the next manager which is disrespectful to Mccarthy and the supporters! If he is going to be keeping the same parameters no other manager will , in my opinion , be able to achieve the same and will unfortunately , in my opinion , only lead to relegation which is the worst situation to expect Evans to want or be able to rectify . Goodbye and thank you for your efforts and apologies for the moronic treatment from the so called supporters at ITFC .

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Bert added 12:04 - Mar 29 At last the club can move forward. It is undoubtedly the right decision for both MM and most supporters. A good manager of players, open and generally honest but he has flaws which he must address. He deserves to go with dignity and respect and our best wishes.
5

cfmoses added 12:06 - Mar 29 What a relief. Let's hope this sees the end of 5 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders. Guess Chambers and Skuse will now worry about their futures. The stock of promising youngsters will now surely get longer runs in the first team and who knows Freddie might actually score in a goal before this season ends!
6

blueheartXT added 12:12 - Mar 29 Thanks Mick for all your efforts I wish you well in your new post wherever that maybe Let's hope we get the right man in place and Marcus gives him a realistic transfer fund I would of preferred that he gave it to mick a couple of seasons ago Coyb
2

itfc2001 added 12:15 - Mar 29 Can't believe people are still harping on about things he did in his first 2 years. he took over a pretty good squad from Jewell and got them organised. Since that spell he has slowly but surely destroyed the history and heart of the club. He has been disrespectful to the fans and is the main cause for falling attendances. You wouldn't wish a pension fund manager good luck or thank him for halving your investments. Should be directing your thanks to ME ( all be it muted ) for at least listening to the majority of the fans and making the only decision that would save our once great club. I will be there on Monday like I was at the Den in 1978 to cheer on the team.

7

thecheek added 12:16 - Mar 29 He has done a pretty good job given the budget and it is anyone's guess whether his successor will do any better or even match what he has done. However the negative tactics and standard of football has been abysmal for too long now so now seems a good time to give someone else a chance and hopefully at least make things more exciting. When you set a team out to play for a draw when the fans can see glimpses of the play offs it no wonder they turned against the manager.

3

Cakeman added 12:24 - Mar 29 Very pleased about this. The club including owner, management and supporters now need to pull together so as we can get the feeling of belonging back. McCarthy had to go as for me he crossed the line long ago with his constant disrespect to supporters. Deliberately winding us up which was unacceptable. At least that's how I saw it. Important decision now to get the right manager(s) in to replace him. At least we have something to look forward to.

7

grumpyoldman added 12:25 - Mar 29 Meekreech, anybody can say what would have happened if MM had not been here, how can you prove what any other manager could have done under the circumstances that he has worked under? It is all about opinions you have yours I have mine, you say you are not going to PR because of this, but you will be replaced by quite a few including me who have stayed away because of the football on offer under MM.

14

jas0999 added 12:26 - Mar 29 I really did think that MM would be offered a new contract. Pleased I'm wrong. This decision is in the best interests of the club, fans and Mick. We should certainly be thankful that he saved us from relegation and he overachieved getting us to the play offs. He's also had little in terms of financial backing. But the last twenty months has been very poor and the relationship between him and the fans is toxic. The boring negative football was even going to stop me renewing my ST whilst he remained. It's ultimately time for a change, let's hope Evans gets the appointment right. He will also need to back the new man as the squad will need an overhaul with many players likely to leave in the summer. Good luck Mick, it it's time to go.

7

Kulturarv added 12:29 - Mar 29 Thanks Mick. Very well done considering Scrooge has given you almost nothing to spend. ME. Why don't you leave as well? Please.
0

bayblue added 12:31 - Mar 29 Not sure if its already been said but he should go now and a new man in to evaluate the squad.
3

miltonsnephew added 12:38 - Mar 29 I hope this doesn't signal the end of Bialkowski too!! I hope he doesn't follow Mick out of the door! All be it that Bialkowski has a option for one more year!! Marcus get Bialkowski signed to a new contract!
1

bugledog123 added 12:38 - Mar 29 Many thanks to Mick & Terry for working with the limited funds made available, even if the football was not exactly entertaining most of the time. COYB!
2

Daleyitfc added 12:39 - Mar 29 Someone says on here they hope Marcus Evans makes the right managerial appointment , having only got 33% right so far : make that 0%.
3

cat added 12:40 - Mar 29 I'm not one to say I told you so, but, I told you so. Happy as Larry on this one, let's hope for a good appointment so we can unite and get behind him. Season ticket looming!!!
5

itfchorry added 12:49 - Mar 29 Milne Out
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Town7579 added 12:49 - Mar 29 Stop being so soft. Let's show him twice as much respect as he has shown us thanks mick now f#ck off. You have outstayed your welcome by 2 years.
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MicksZzzTactics added 12:52 - Mar 29 HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!! HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!!! HALLELUJAH!! HALLELUJAH!!!
4

toxtethblue added 12:54 - Mar 29 They must have been seeing automatic direct debit renewals being cancelled left right and centre... no brainer decision, he had to go.
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