Departing Town boss Mick McCarthy has reiterated that he has no plans to retire having left the Blues after five and a half years in charge at Portman Road following last night’s 1-0 victory over Barnsley and says he is looking for "an opportunity to get back into the Premier League".

“I’m not packing it in," he told talkSPORT. “There was some misconception that I’m fed up with it, I’m tired and I’m getting old.

“I might be tired, and I might be getting old, but I’m not fed up with it. I want to get back in. I’m hungry for another job and another challenge.

“If the right job comes up, I’ll take it. I would like an opportunity to get back into the Premier League.”

Regarding his earlier-than-expected Town exit, he added: “It kind of came to its natural end. It was time to go.

"There was a breakdown in the relationship with me and some of the fans, but I’ve had wonderful support at Ipswich as well, so I’m not digging them out.

“I’ve been there for five and a half years and I think fans get bored of the same face, no matter how well you’re doing. But I’m cool with it. I’m a pragmatist, it does happen.

“I’ve had a fabulous time there, I’ve loved every minute of it. All good things must come to an end and it has been good and I have enjoyed it, but it’s time for me to do something else and it’s time for the club to do something else.

“It was lovely to finish on a win last night, despite the fact it was against one of my former clubs, Barnsley, and it left them in a perilous position. It’s time to move on and I’m excited by what might be out there.”

McCarthy has previously been mentioned in connection with soon-to-be-relegated West Brom, while Leeds, the club he supported as a boy, have been linked since his Portman Road departure.

Photo: Action Images

Wacko added 14:12 - Apr 11 It's not your face it's your football
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DanFord added 14:18 - Apr 11 I saw something recently which suggested that the worst 5 managers in Premier League history were Chris Hutchings, Paul Jewell, Mick McCarthy, Terry Connor and Frank de Boer. I wonder if de Boer would come here so we can complete the set! Haha
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alfromcol added 14:19 - Apr 11 zzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz
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goat_man added 14:20 - Apr 11 Unless he gets a job at a struggling Prem team, there's no chance his tactics nowadays will get him back into the Prem from below. None.
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naa added 14:22 - Apr 11 He's very much a championship level manager. Any level above that shows up his one-dimensional football. But fair play to him for wanting to try and prove himself at that level even after all this time.
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MattinLondon added 14:22 - Apr 11 Time to move on - I wish Mick all the best. Be interesting to see where Mick ends up next.
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essextractorboy93 added 14:25 - Apr 11 Good luck to Mick and TC, can see them getting a Championship side promoted if theyre given a bit more money to spend. I can see them at somewhere like Sheffield Wednesday.
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Heathlander added 14:30 - Apr 11 Please be Leeds
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Surco72 added 14:33 - Apr 11 Good luck with that MM in your prime you had one of the worst premiership managerial records
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black_shuck added 14:40 - Apr 11 When Mick arrived we had played 13 games and only had 7 pts. The great man saved us from relegation. The last thirteen games we have 8 pts. So he leaves us where he came in. 5 years wasted and a totally divided club. All because of one man's ego.
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Lightningboy added 14:42 - Apr 11 I don't hate him or dislike him,never have but i'm glad he's gone and wish him all the best...hopefully he'll end up at another Championship club and “hopefully” we'll play them off the pitch & beat them home and away next season.
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blue75 added 14:51 - Apr 11 Chelsea might be looking for a new manager 😂😂
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itfc58 added 14:54 - Apr 11 We wanted him out. he's gone. So lets all stop slagging him and his boring football off! that's all history now, so look to a brighter future. All the best Mick & Terry and good luck in the future.
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Paulc added 15:16 - Apr 11 I am looking to be the next king of England when i get sacked from my current job.
0

Paulc added 15:16 - Apr 11 I am looking to be the next king of England when i get sacked from my current job.
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naa added 15:18 - Apr 11 black_shuck: I make it 13 points not 8, so almost twice the amount we had when he joined. If you are going to make a fact based argument at least get your facts right. As for the club being divided, the squad seems very together at the moment. The fans are also pretty together in that most are happy he's gone, but some seem to have far more vitriol about it all than is entirely necessary. Not his fault though I'd say.

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naa added 15:22 - Apr 11 itfc58: agree completely. He's gone why can't people just let it go. He only ever wanted to do well for us (unlike Keane I'd suggest), so why all the hate? Yes, he bored us all and we gave him a load of abuse for it (well, some did). But those same people seemed to expect him to not be upset by it and ignore it all. I suggest those people receive months of abuse and see how it feels. He's gone, let it go.

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BlueBlood90 added 15:33 - Apr 11 It shouldn't have got to this stage. He should've gone during the international break (or long before that). It's a shame to see the way he's left because the first 3 years were very good and he did an excellent job on limited funds. I'm not sure why it wasn't announced before yesterdays game that he was leaving as I'm quite sure he would've got a good reception. I don't think he'll struggle to find a new job as he's very good at stabilising a club as he did with us, he's just not the man to kick on after doing so

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Churchman75 added 15:35 - Apr 11 Phil TWTD No more McCarthy stories, lets move forwards please
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Bluemoss added 16:03 - Apr 11 Good luck Mick. Naa...spot on
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SheptonMalletBlue added 16:13 - Apr 11 that would be worth seeing just for the laugh!!!!!!!!!
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Cloddyseedbed added 16:27 - Apr 11 No doubting his confidence and his ego. Very badly handled at the end, should have gone 6 months sooner. No other club would have put up with such a downfall in performances/entertainment and dropping attendances for so long. Been supporting the club since the 60's and make no secret of the fact that I have not enjoyed the last 2 seasons, apart from just a handful of games. That was not how to play the game of football and ME that was no way to run a football club. I hope lessons have been learned. Without supporters you have no football club.

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TimmyH added 16:39 - Apr 11 I would by pass McCarthy if I was a club looking to get back in the Prem even if looking like getting relegated from it this season for the next one. It's been a long time since he got a club promoted (9 years ago) and footballs moved on but unfortunately for him he hasn't with his sterile tactics but it would be interesting to see how he gets on as I fancy we'll see him back at Portman Road next season at some point.

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Taricco_Fan added 16:45 - Apr 11 He's not Premier League standard. Well, not for team with ambitions of staying in the Premier League. McCarthy is a competent Championship manager but to cut it at the top you need more tactical nous and flexibility than he has displayed at Ipswich. He'll get a good job in the Championship, maybe a club like Leeds or Sheffield Wednesday and will do well with backing. That said, I don't like his football or outlook on the game so I'm glad he's gone.

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TimmyH added 16:46 - Apr 11 Last 8 games - 8pts, still pretty useless - McCarthy's hardly left us on a high AFTER 5 1/2 years!!
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