New Ipswich Town boss Paul Hurst — only the club’s 16th in the 82 years since they turned professional — was officially unveiled at a press conference earlier today.

Hurst, 43, left Shrewsbury last month to take over from Mick McCarthy, whose five and a half year reign ended in April, and was making his first visit to Portman Road since landing the job.

“I am very proud, very honoured and also very excited about the challenge ahead,” he told a large gathering in the media suite.

Reminded about the Shrews’ extra-time defeat to Rotherham in the League One play-off final just over a fortnight ago, he was asked if things had worked out differently at Wembley whether he would have been at the club today.

He replied: “It would have been a very difficult decision but ultimately I think this football club, with its history and also the potential here, it would have been very difficult to turn this job down.

“I’m very excited about working with the group of players that are here. They had a good season last year, despite a lot of injury problems along the way, and given a bit more luck on that side I’m sure they would have finished higher up the table.

“There is a lot of potential here and I am keen to assess that very quickly, add to it if possible and see what we can achieve.”

Did he see the step-up from League One to the Championship as a big one? “I’ve said for a long time, even when I was in non-league football and certainly once I became a full-time manager, that with the work we do and the professionalism we put in there are not too much changes to be honest,” he said.

“What you do get is a lot more interest but a lot more resources and people to work with. We can complicate the game of football, the approach, very much and I like to strike a balance between what people might deem as old school with a lot of new school in there as well.

“I see it as a challenge, of course. I’ve got to earn the players’ respect and they have to earn mine and that of Chris Doig, my assistant who has come along with me as well.

“But in general it will be a very similar approach, which I guess is what’s got me to this point, to have such a great opportunity.”

Town are currently the Championship’s longest-serving club after relegation from the top flight in 2002 and several managers have been unable to turn the tide. Can Hurst be the one to get them out of the second tier?

He smiled: “It depends which way you mean. No, of course I believe we can do it. Every time you start a new season you’re hopeful that you can be fighting for promotion. I did see something where certain people (the bookmakers) have got us towards the other end and I take no notice of that.

“I had that at my last club and we certainly managed to show that wasn’t the case. We’ll approach it with optimism but what I’ve said already is that I’m not going to come here and make false promises that I can’t keep.

“What I can assure people is that we’ll do everything in our power — and demand the same from the players — to give the fans a team that they can be proud of, one that they can see giving everything to the shirt. Who knows where it can take you?

“It’s a very competitive league but at the same time this club has a very good history and we’d love to create our own piece of history moving forward.”

Like his predecessor, Hurst is a Yorkshireman, but does he share any similarities with the man he has replaced? He said: “Let’s put it this way — Mick was here a long time and did very well for this football club. There was obviously a change made but I have total respect for him.

“I think we have some similarities without knowing Mick personally, although I have spoken to him a few times, but naturally there are going to be things that are different as well. Every manager is different. I think we share values in terms of the work ethic.

“I’ve had nothing but good feedback in terms of the squad’s character, which doesn’t surprise me guessing what Mick would be like, so I’m grateful for the squad that’s been left behind.

“Along the way there will be changes but they will be done in time and I want people to have the opportunity to impress first and foremost.”

Hurst was also reminded of Town’s failure to win an East Anglian derby clash with Norwich since 2009 and asked if he could do something about that miserable run.

He responded: “I’d like to think so. I was watching one of the games back and they were talking about how long it had been and when the fixtures come out we’ll be looking forward to those games.”

Photo: TWTD

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:34 - Jun 12 Just a little pastiche. I shall hold you to your word through the season! Such a positive outlook from you makes my day! Now I really dont believe it
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blueboy1981 added 15:45 - Jun 12 ........ it's called REALITY - check out the meaning. REALITY is for real - excitement and euphoria is an initial response to something.
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cat added 16:23 - Jun 12 Good and enjoyable first interview from the new man at the helm. Talked a good game, with wingers and a progressive approach appearing to be high on his agenda. I hope he's given plenty of time from the fans to implement his fresh ideas and brand of football.
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megamoth added 16:39 - Jun 12 tip top teeth
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BlueandTruesince82 added 16:39 - Jun 12 Oh come now Blueboy Meldrew. You have been a miseabsle git for 10 years. Take the compliment, you have put a smile to my face. What a wonderful thing. Now try putting one on yours and you know what..... you might see the world cam be a pretty cool place.
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WoodfordTim added 16:40 - Jun 12 Likes his teams to pass the ball and he likes wingers. Wonderful!!! Christmas has come early. He came over very well and I am sure that the players, staff and supporters will warm to him and support the Club 100%.
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BlueBlood90 added 16:45 - Jun 12 Think there is a lot of potential for us to do well over the next 3 years. I like how he's already pinpointed the lack of width and creativity within the squad and wants to play high pressing quick football. I'm REALLY pleased that he brought up the amount of injuries and suggested they will do things differently to avoid this from happening in future. If we can keep Huws, Dozzell, Bishop, Adeyemi etc all fit then we've basically got 4 new signings.

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Barty added 16:52 - Jun 12 Welcome Paul & Chris - excellent comments. Looking forward to next season. I suspect that most of the bookies who fancy us for relegation are those that predicted an immediate return to the Premiership for Sunderlad - how wrong they were !!
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Cheshire_Blue added 16:53 - Jun 12 Has anyone seen the way Shrewsbury played last season? Don't get too excited. Time will tell.
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westernblue added 16:54 - Jun 12 A welcome appointment. And PH comes across as genuinely grounded, thoughtful and engaging, and (maybe best of all) excited and positive - about the game of football and about our club. Whatever the levels of investment in players (here we can always hope for more) we can reasonably expect ME to give him time - so vital after a major change at the helm (albeit that PH inherits some good players in the squad, alongside some seriously promising youngsters). As for Town's supporters, looking back over my life (so far) as a (mostly proud) fan, it's fair to say that we also have a tradition of being patient and supportive. Roll on the new season!

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TrueBlueRich added 17:04 - Jun 12 Welcome Paul and Chris, already you have brought a breath of fresh air to our proud club and wonderful support of home and away fans. I look forward to the first game be it home or away, bring it on. coyb.
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rfretwell added 17:05 - Jun 12 A good start but tip top recruitment is everything and he has alot to live up to in that respect. Good luck both.
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beornioblue added 17:14 - Jun 12 Welcome to PR Mr Hurst and staff! All sounds good so far, wingers a must Good luck and roll on August ! COYB
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Juggsy added 17:18 - Jun 12 Change the bloody record Cheshire Blue. Have some faith eh?
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Gcon added 17:19 - Jun 12 I like the sound of Hurst, and wish him all the best. I have rarely had a problem with the managers, it's the owner that worries me. His lack of support is the reason we are one of the favourites for relegation. If the owner believes in Hurst then he needs to show it by supporting him financially. I am pleased ME has begun to engage with supporters. I hope it's a genuine change, not just blowing smoke up our backsides.

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Reecex28 added 17:21 - Jun 12 Let's live up to our reputation of giving managers time. Happy to have a season where he allows our youngsters to gain the experience they need and then push for playoffs year after. He can only do that if he knows he has time on his side and a supportive owner. Also needs fans to understand bigger picture and not get on the backs of younger players.
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happybeingblue added 17:34 - Jun 12 good interview that, see MICK has got a job on talksport covering the worldcup
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runningout added 18:04 - Jun 12 well MM won't be able to forget us too quickly as talksport infested with Ipswich haha
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therein61 added 18:13 - Jun 12 How refreshing to hear our manager wants the fans onside as we go forward.
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blueboy1981 added 18:22 - Jun 12 BlueandTruesince82 ......... reality is something you obviously will never understand - just watch you don't hit the ground too hard, you may damage yourself. Less of the verbal abuse too - something I am well above, however provoked.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 18:22 - Jun 12 Top marks! Couldn't fault PH on this interview. A perfect balance between realism, positivity, and just a touch of steel. Also comes over as very amenable, with a sense of humour. If we can't get our Ipswich back with this man in charge, then heaven help us - and I'm not talking first and foremost about results here.
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cat added 19:15 - Jun 12 Blueboy1981 - “less of the verbal abuse too - something I am well above, however provoked” 😂😂😂 not only are you a hypocrite, your also deluded fella. It's always ‘them others” with you ain't it????? You clearly live your life in denial. Maybe ‘jog on' and get that mirror out that you oh so love going on about and take a long, hard good look at ones self. 👀 👌

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blueboy1981 added 19:31 - Jun 12 cat ......... simples:- MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. I know from the down votes which camp you belong to - Deluded ? - you and your colleagues are the perfect example of that very word. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and DON'T READ MY POSTS. The same applies to all your 'little' group. Just keep clapping - as you always did ....... !!!! We move on - much to some of your groups disgust - Still sour, or what ?

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alfromcol added 19:46 - Jun 12 Let's get ready to rumble. (in a loud voice)
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cat added 19:54 - Jun 12 WARNING -CAPS LOCK ALERT WARNING!!! 😡 Someone rattle your ‘CAGE' ‘budgie boy'?
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