Town have confirmed that manager Paul Hurst has been sacked, owner Marcus Evans believing that it “is in the best interests of the club” to appoint a new boss with ex-Norwich manager Paul Lambert set to be his successor. Assistant manager Chris Doig, fitness coach Nathan Winder and physio Chris Skitt have also left the Blues, while academy head of coaching and development Bryan Klug will take caretaker charge for Saturday’s game at Millwall.

“I have decided that it is in the best interests of the football club that we appoint a new manager to take us forward,” Evans told the club site.

“I would like to thank Paul and Chris for their efforts and we wish them well for the future but after 14 matches we find ourselves bottom of the Championship and with only one win this season.

“Paul’s arrival here in the summer was welcomed by us all and we worked tirelessly to support him fully with his plans for player recruitment, training methodology and backroom staff.

“But unfortunately those plans haven’t turned into positive results, which is why I have had to take this decision today.

“The core of our club remains strong and it is that which has helped us create a highly competitive team in the Championship over the last five or six years.

“This group of experienced players along with the additions we made to the squad this summer of younger developing talent, plus the ongoing progression of players from our academy means the new manager will have a solid group to work with and build for the future.

“I am determined that we develop a team to play attractive and exciting football. We have a stable and talented coaching team in place at Ipswich and Bryan Klug will step up and take temporary charge of the first team for Saturday’s trip to Millwall.

“I am actively looking to appoint a new manager as soon as possible with experience, who will embrace the long term vision we all have for the club and who can deliver the success that every Ipswich Town supporter craves.”

Photo: TWTD

Woodbridgian added 17:24 - Oct 25 Had to be done, His downfall was far to much change with players who simply haven't been good enough. Evans has to invest in the right man and support him big time in January if we stand any chance of staying up current squad nowhere near good enough
10

nsc283b added 17:24 - Oct 25 Needed to go. Tried to change too much too soon with too many unproven players from the lower leagues. If Evans intends to get an available experienced manager, I'd prefer Burley, Bruce, or Warburton before Lambert.
5

Teevo2 added 17:26 - Oct 25 Agreed with most of the above. I wanted it to work for Hurst but time ran out after the QPR shambles. We are hurtling towards D1 and need intervention. Lambert would be an acceptable solution right now for me. We need someone who can work some magic in the next window too as the lower division gamble failed. I'd also like to get some of the loaned out players back too.
5

dubblue added 17:26 - Oct 25 Sad for Hurst - never good to see a manager go so soon but at least Evans has been decisive. I hope he does not rush into a decision - 3 out of his 4 managers have been a disaster, the 4th was Mick! A lot will depend on what funds he makes available to the new manager - I fear the only funds will be whatever we get for Bart - hope not.
0

ipswichdave added 17:26 - Oct 25 Hopefully who ever comes in can find League 1 and 2 clubs to buy our summer signings.
0

bluemike1969 added 17:27 - Oct 25 And I notice your two cronies have marked me down! That's fine as I'm more concerned about the welfare of our great club and not "up my own ar*e', McCarthy
3

Warkys_Tash added 17:27 - Oct 25 Good move. I'll take Lambert
4

jas0999 added 17:30 - Oct 25 Hurst had to go. Simple as. One win in fourteen matches is very poor. Shocking. I wish him well, but sadly out of his depth. I don't however believe that a Lambert is the answer. I can see multiple problems if he's appointed, not least his Norwich connection. Further, although credit to Evans for making this change, sadly I can't agree he did everything possible to support PH in the summer. That's unless folk think a £5 M transfer profit is acceptable. Additionally, this squad is anything but experienced!

5

tractorboybig added 17:31 - Oct 25 9 div one players in one go= div one team and that is what the incumbent has to work with, even Jesus would struggle to survive with this lot.
4

blockb_steward added 17:32 - Oct 25 Absolutely the right decision - it's always sad when it happens and Ipswich are also not known as a sacking club. I thought his time was up at QPR to be honest, totally lacking any real threat at front Can I just say that if it is Lambert, please can we give the guy a chance - he may be ex-Narwtbut so was Joe Royle and we all loved big Joe Let's get behind the club and see if we can't try and get ourselves out of this mess COYB FOREVER

17

MoscowBlueMule added 17:34 - Oct 25 I'd have MM back in a heartbeat. Didn't want him to go in the first place. BUT ME needs to give him funds for decent signings.
-18

TimmyH added 17:34 - Oct 25 Firstly feel a bit sorry for Hurst, I think he had all the right intentions but his transfer policy was nothing short of reckless and we didn't really see the intended high pressing passing style we thought we were going to get - too many unproven players in at this level. So wish him all the best but he was sadly found out in the Championship. Now as for Paul Lambert as the next possible manager - GIVE ME A BREAK! (and our long suffering supporters) - I'd have Burley, Warburton, Carvahal but not him, please for god's sake Evans don't make another poor managerial decision, you've made enough already!!

2

Essexipswichboy added 17:35 - Oct 25 Unfortunately he was just to niaeve There is no way he could be allowed to oversee these next 3 Games....even as early as October these games against millwall Preston and reading are the most important games for this club in its history..... Honest We need all 9points now there is no way PH was going to get them. It looks to me that something was wrong in the camp Ultimately it was him who had to pay the price

4

happybeingblue added 17:36 - Oct 25 should we get mick back to keep us up again :) wasnt it november time as well
-14

WhoisJimmyJuan added 17:39 - Oct 25 I'd promote Nash and Hogg with Burley as an adviser. Possibly Matt Holland in there as well. Dyer, Adem and Bramble might be able to step up to fill Nash and Hogg roles
0

blockb_steward added 17:40 - Oct 25 I think MM is more likely to go to HellFreezingOver United then come back here after being hounded out. The time was right to part the ways, please can people stop saying that we should ask him back?
9

BlueMachines added 17:41 - Oct 25 Very disappointed but I'm sad to say it is the right decision. Mark Warburton please
4

RIPbobby added 17:45 - Oct 25 Gutted we didn't appoint Jack Ross. He looked so right for us.
4

aas1010 added 17:53 - Oct 25 Good riddance
-5

megamoth added 17:55 - Oct 25 Hurst must go down as the worst manager in ITFC history. Clearly high time that he went. Saying that, his dismissal is as right as the appointment of Lambert would be wrong. Lambert's last 3 appointments: Lasted 6 months at Blackburn (took club from 16th to 15th), lasted 6 months at Wolves (took club from 19th to 15th), lasted 5 months at Stoke (club relegated). Ummm... Must be Warburton or Bruce

2

stringtheory added 17:55 - Oct 25 Thank god! No more of the players being made to pose in their pants to have their physiques photographed!
1

stringtheory added 17:55 - Oct 25 Thank god! No more of the players being made to pose in their pants to have their physiques photographed!
-1

Daddio added 17:59 - Oct 25 The right decision, hopefully whoever comes in, not super excited by Lambert, can get the players to bond and hopefully scrape a few results out before January. Then we need a good window.
0

lightingblue added 18:00 - Oct 25 In all fairness Evans took a gamble and didn't pay of. Always a shame when someone losses their job, but unfortunately if you aren't performing then you have to go. Just a few names in the mix would be , big Sam (hippo head), david moyes, sherwood or give unsworth a go who apparently is doing wounders with Everton youngsters. All in all I'm not surprised and it's buiness. With hurst and Doig going along with the fitness bloke and physio, that's a proper clear out.

1

bingboast added 18:00 - Oct 25 His self believe & Im bigger than thou atitude left him struggling to make any sound decisions, names out of hat selection. Town well rid of.
3

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls