Town have sacked manager Paul Hurst after less than five months in charge with former Norwich boss Paul Lambert close to taking over.

Owner Marcus Evans is understood to have wielded the axe this afternoon following last night’s 2-0 defeat at Leeds with the players believed to have been called to the training ground to be told the news.

Evans is understood to have sounded out a number of experienced Championship managers to take over from Hurst as he looks to avoid a damaging and costly relegation to League One.

TWTD can confirm the Daily Mirror's earlier report that former Norwich, Aston Villa and Colchester manager Lambert could be confirmed as boss prior to Saturday’s trip to Millwall, although Bryan Klug has returned to his caretaker-manager role in the meantime.

Hurst was only appointed Town boss on May 30th and his tenure - only the 16th since the club turned professional - at 149 days is the shortest in the Blues' history.

Town won only once during his time in charge, at Swansea prior to the international break, with his overall record in all competitions reading played 15, won one, drawn seven, lost seven. They sit bottom of the Championship.

Rumours of training ground discontent have been rife for some weeks, while Hurst's summer recruitment, largely players who impressed him while working in the lower leagues while a number of more experienced players departed, is widely viewed as a significant factor behind the current position.

Hurst's departure appeared only a matter of time with the win at Swansea having perhaps bought him a little time. However, Saturday's dismal performance the 2-0 home defeat to QPR was probably the final straw.

Lambert, 49, was last in a job earlier this year, taking charge of Stoke City in January but leaving in May following their relegation to the Championship.

Previously he was in charge at Wolves, Blackburn and Villa, but is most remembered in East Anglia for his stint in charge at Norwich between 2009 and 2012 during which he took them from League One to the Premier League.

The Scot had joined the Canaries from Colchester United where he spent just under a year. The U's had defeated Norwich 7-1 on the opening day of 2009/10.

He started his managerial career at Livingston and Wycombe having played in midfield for St Mirren, Motherwell, Borussia Dortmund - with whom he won the Champions League - Celtic and Livingston as well as winning 40 caps for Scotland.

Photo: Action Images

bugledog123 added 17:08 - Oct 25 Lambert? Here we go....
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DJ27 added 17:09 - Oct 25 The down side to any up coming manager was that if it didnt work out, we were going to go for an experienced merry go round manager and thus continue our mediocre cycle. Hurst had to go, but can't say i'm excited by Lambert. Would rather have had Warburton, but will get my full backing. If it is to be Lambert, needs results early otherwise could get messy quickly. This is a huge gamble by Evans.

4

BlueBhoy added 17:10 - Oct 25 I doubt Evans even wants to be involved anymore but we are not a big , fashionable or even Geographically attractive club for anyone to come in and buy us. Alot of big names in football must of advised Evans to employ Paul Hurst according to media reports and he did win league manager of the year last season so he cant be completely clueless. For whatever reason it hasn't worked and there are absolutely zero winners out of whats happened the last six months. The club may have to go down to come back up. We haven't achieved anything the last 13 years so maybe we need a shock to kickstart something for ITFC .

3

Cakeman added 17:10 - Oct 25 Oh dear what a sad day for our club. Yes he was struggling big time but surely he could have been given the next three games. The new manager will only have the current squad of inept players to work with so why now? Sadly he was out of his depth at this time but I think he will have learnt from this and will come back a stronger manager. Unfortunately our owner has panicked because he has made another mistake and no doubt he will continue to make mistakes. All the best Paul Hurst, it wasn't all your fault!

1

NeverGoingUp added 17:10 - Oct 25 Apparently Lambert is all but confirmed. Just ironing out a few details! Been in the pipeline since before the Swansea game.
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slade1 added 17:11 - Oct 25 All the people on here moaning that Lambert is ex Norwich...so what!! What do you think he's going to do then? Say, hey I'm the ex Norwich manager, I think i'll take over at Ipswich and lose every game and get relegated just to please the Norwich fans? Get a life, it doesn't matter who he managed before, he'll give it his best with us
14

geminimustang added 17:11 - Oct 25 Only MM could save this club from relegation though i accept;- 1). His appointment would've been divisive. 2). He wouldn't come back. 3). The football would've been far from easy on the eye. Lambert comes across as a nice guy but relegation is a given if he's appointed.Just when you think things couldn't get any worse!
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Pilgrimblue added 17:13 - Oct 25 It is a sad day BUT he had to go, completely out of his depth. I get it about Lambert but he knows this division inside and out. His record is good and why worry about his budgie past, its past and he's been elsewhere since. My preference would still be Burley until Christmas with Nash etc. Not sure what I'll be expecting to see at Millwall though
2

heathen66 added 17:13 - Oct 25 Seriousky let down by the senior pros who are still sulking over their mate Micks departure.
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grubbyoik added 17:13 - Oct 25 Lambert... Paul Lambert.. not my choice .. let's hope Evans gets it right at the 5 time of asking!
0

Bert added 17:15 - Oct 25 The right decision at the right time. If the Lambert link is true then I for one will welcome him. Town supporters must get over their problem as they did with Royal. Yes, it will not enthuse many but given our situation we are hardly in the driving seat. Lambert is dour but he talks sense and may attract some decent signings assuming Evan's releases some cash. The experiment largely backed by supporters failed so experience is now needed and whether it's Lambert or not the players may just respond to someone who has pedigree but may not win in the personality stakes. Best wishes to Hurst and sorry it did not work out.

12

barrystedmunds added 17:15 - Oct 25 Too many lower league signings in my view was he's undoing! Statistics said of the 9? he brought in maybe 1 or 2? would make the grade immediately, another 2 over time maybe! and the rest, no chance. I was behind his appointment but always accepted it was a huge risk. Still a sad day for the Town.
5

truckerblue added 17:15 - Oct 25 That's what happens Paul when you rock up at a club and tell the players they wouldn't get into your Shrewsbury team you lose the good ones and have to ship some sh*t in. Thanks for leaving us deep in the sh*te. Tell Delia your work here is done.
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blueboy1981 added 17:17 - Oct 25 If it is Lambert - he will have more pressure than any other appointment would have - many will expect him to hit the ground running, otherwise they will be on his back instantly because of his previous connections. Somewhat unfortunately that's how it is, and I can see it happening.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:17 - Oct 25 Re Lambert.... who I am completely on the fence on Just look at one Jordan Rhodes atm.....
0

cazzyitfc added 17:18 - Oct 25 The problem is whoever takes over he still inherits a leqgue 1team. Tough ask for anyone.could be too late to recover by January. Good luck Paul but the risk just didnt pay off
3

StowTractorBoy added 17:18 - Oct 25 Sadly it is a decision that had to be taken which is a shame as many of our fans wanted Hurst to get the job. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but the bloke has clearly underestimated the strength of the Championship. Too many changes too quickly and unfortunately several of his recruits at this moment in time do not look like dealing with the Championship level of football. We also lost our main goalscoring threats which did not help Hurst but in many way he was his own worst enemy playing only one up front. Can only wish the guy the best of luck and am sure he will be snapped by a lower division Club. Lambert would not be my first choice but will obviously wish the guy the best of luck as he has a hell of a job to turn this around if he is the man appointed. Whoever gets the job has a huge task on his hands and will hopefully bring back our Ipswich Town by using some of our highly talented young players.

5

scants_itfc added 17:20 - Oct 25 I feel sorry for Hurst, i was willing him to do well and was excited when he came in, but it has to be the right decision, he just isn't sure how to get us out of this rut. Most top managers have been through sackings though so I am sure we will be regretting it one day... as for Lambert, on paper he hasn;t done as bad a job as people are saying. It isn;t the most exciting choice and I feel it will be similar to MM, but right now if he gets us to 21st at the end of the season, I will be relieved and say hes done a good job with the squad he has inherited

3

scants_itfc added 17:20 - Oct 25 I feel sorry for Hurst, i was willing him to do well and was excited when he came in, but it has to be the right decision, he just isn't sure how to get us out of this rut. Most top managers have been through sackings though so I am sure we will be regretting it one day... as for Lambert, on paper he hasn;t done as bad a job as people are saying. It isn;t the most exciting choice and I feel it will be similar to MM, but right now if he gets us to 21st at the end of the season, I will be relieved and say hes done a good job with the squad he has inherited

1

blueboy1981 added 17:21 - Oct 25 How can this be a 'sad day' as some are seeing it ?? - Hurst will get a super pay off - and we were going nowhere with him. and wouldn't. Hurst will be able to walk back into Shrewsbury, or sit at home well paid for doing nothing for a considerable time. How many of the paying public are ever able to do that ?
2

blueboy1981 added 17:22 - Oct 25 He had his chance - this is a results business - commensurate with the pay .......... !!!!
0

floridaboy added 17:27 - Oct 25 Sadly the man was out of his depth and his sidekick was even worse. As for Paul Lambert, good luck to him if the rumours are true. If he can do the business and you never know, he might well get the team playing football, then everyone who cares about the club will be happy. I will be happy if he keeps us in this division. As for the idiots moaning about him and his Norwich connections. GET A LIFE!! Bet Hurst and his sidekick are not bothered as they will surely get a payoff!

2

icandriveatractor added 17:30 - Oct 25 Shame he didn't work out thought he wld turn it round like robson did but not to be. Evans is the main reason this club is rock bottom wld be good if he sold up. Looks like he is making yet another bad decision in appointing Lambert. If he does get the job hope he proves me wrong and keeps our beloved club up.
0

DebsyAngel added 17:31 - Oct 25 Feel a bit sorry for Paul, but this needed to be done. We just could not go on like this. Best of luck to him for the future, but think this was a step too far for him to cope with. Lambert eh?? Good manager, but would prefer Warburton!!
1

jas0999 added 17:32 - Oct 25 Lambert won't be a popular choice.
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