Town boss Paul Lambert and his staff will remain at Portman Road next season whatever happens in the final months of this campaign, the Blues manager and club owner Marcus Evans have confirmed in a joint-statement.

As previously reported, Evans has spent time at the club in the last fortnight talking with various department heads.

Among those meetings were discussions with Lambert and recently-appointed general manager of football operations Lee O’Neill to ensure the Town boss and his staff - assistant manager Stuart Taylor, first-team coach Matt Gill, fitness coach Jim Henry and goalkeeper-coach Jimmy Walker - will remain at the club regardless of which division Town are in next season.

“Marcus made it clear he wants me and my staff here next season whatever happens over the next four months and I made it clear we want to be here so it was a pretty easy conversation to have,” Lambert told the club site.

""“I’m fully committed to this job. I don’t know any other way. This is a fantastic football club. It’s just lost its way a bit. I’m here, my staff are here, to help it.

“I want to see this job through, help turn the club around. I’ve said before, it’s not normal to see the support we are getting from the fans when you are bottom of the league. Imagine what this place would be like if the team was winning games every week. It would be crazy.

“I want to be here to see that. It’s my job to try and help make it happen and get the club back competing where it should be.""

“Marcus has committed himself to being here as much as he can be and that’s important for all the staff, not just the playing side. We need him here. The club needs him.""

“We’ve got a really good working relationship and I have nothing but praise for the backing he has given me.

“Our immediate concern is this season but working with Lee as well, we are putting plans in place for the future. Things have to change here and everyone is committed to making that happen.”

""Owner Evans added: “I have been hugely impressed by the impact Paul has made in his short time here and I think it’s important to reinforce the message to our supporters that Paul and his team are here for the long term.""

“This has been an incredibly tough season so far, however despite everything I feel positive that we have a manager and structure at the club which provides us with a clear identity going forward.

“The evolution at the club that I started last summer was never going to be easy and obviously we are all disappointed to be where we are in the table but I urge supporters to continue to stay with us as we strive to achieve our goals.

“Above all else I wanted to create a structure - and still do - whereby every aspect of the club’s plans focus on us winning football matches but as importantly doing this in an attractive and entertaining fashion. The start of that journey was delayed but I now feel we are on our way.

""“It will take time to put the pieces in place that enable this to happen but in the end the rebuilding process will be worth it. "

“Paul is leading that with my support, Lee’s and everyone at the club - but as always, the fans are a big part of the team effort as well and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for the support they have given Paul and the players.

“The atmosphere at the Rotherham game was electric and we need that support more than ever at every game through to the end of the season. Having spoken to the players, I know how much that backing means to them.”

Lambert was appointed Blues boss on October 27th on a three-year contact.

Photo: TWTD

jpring89 added 12:34 - Jan 18 Amazing news be great if we stay up but don't care if we do go down as we will have a fantastic manager who's united everybody in such a short space of time.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:38 - Jan 18 I'm so pleased, I've even taken to "liking" everybody's positive comments!
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parkinshair added 12:40 - Jan 18 A few eyebrows were raised by this appointment but in a short space of time Lambert has united a fragmented fanbase and unhappy players. He isn't an old lag journeyman or an up and coming sociopath like the last appointment. He is quite frankly, exactly what this club needed. We go forwards together, each and every one of us.
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cat added 12:49 - Jan 18 Loyalty is a two way street so as fans we have a duty to back Lambert whatever happens. This news will certainly soften the blow should we go down.
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midastouch added 12:51 - Jan 18 Great a long-term project, all for that. Takes the pressure off a bit and means they're in it for the long haul. Marcus must have seen enough now he's spent more time at the club to make him think Lambert is the man to rebuild things and turn the ship around. I have to say I'm more optimistic about our future, even if relegation would be a massive financial set back, than I have been in some time. It's been grim for so long now it's nice to have a bit of hope return. Hopefully we might avoid the drop but realise the odds are stacked against us but if we go down then Lambert has the experience and credentials to get us back up all being well.

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:53 - Jan 18 great news, starting to feel like the ITFC of old is re emerging from the ashes.This nightmare season may yet prove to be a good thing. Paul Lambert has been tireless in his efforts on every aspect of the club .He has connected with fans , and seems to have made ME more aware of what is needed generally. It is equally pleasing to see that Marcus Evans would appear to be listening and responding , long may it last. IPSWICH TOWN FC, the rebirth . COYB.

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matthewwylds added 12:58 - Jan 18 Best manager we have had in years
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dubblue added 12:59 - Jan 18 Brillant news just what the club right now a sense of unity and clear direction. Agree on the ticket prices, cheaper tickets means more fans and a better atmosphere! the club will benefit from extra sales in the ground.
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OldClactonBlue added 13:11 - Jan 18 Can someone post the words to the song that PL refers to in his open letter please.
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warktheline added 13:13 - Jan 18 Without doubt Lambert took the job knowing it was always going to be a long term project. Relegation is nailed on as far as I am concerned unless performances improve significantly starting at Blackburn! This will only be good news if Lambert is backed by the owner and he manages to rekindle his management style of yesterday's! Just for the record I believe Lambert's boys will provide plenty of frills and spills in Division 1 next season!

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hadleighboyblue added 13:13 - Jan 18 It's amazing to feel so positive about the future even though we are bottom of the Championship . But that's the way it feels under PL's control , confident he can turn our club round , even if we do get relegated , the club feels in a better place to move forward , so it's great to hear he is going to be here next season
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Edinburgh_Blue added 13:15 - Jan 18 Back of the net!
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runaround added 13:17 - Jan 18 Brilliant news. Paul Lambert is making watching Ipswich Town enjoyable again and I think this will grow & snowball now
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Blocker123 added 13:18 - Jan 18 Absolutely bloody brilliant news!!!!!😁😁😁😁😁
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Barhamblue added 13:23 - Jan 18 This is the best news to come out of ITFC for years. Regardless of what division we're in next season, I'll be renewing my season ticket! .... this has made my weekend. :)
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LonE17Blue added 13:25 - Jan 18 Good!
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SpruceMoose added 13:26 - Jan 18 This is great news. Help us Daddy Paul, Help us!
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hoppy added 13:33 - Jan 18 For all the people saying ‘Evans Out'... credit where it's due - he has made a fantastic appointment in Paul Lambert, a manager that is continually proving he ‘gets it' with almost everything he's been doing, and a real indication that he is the right man for the job, so this news is perfect. I still have belief we'll survive this season and then it's onwards and upwards with PL at the helm.

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Bert added 13:42 - Jan 18 As Robson said, a club is about a sense of belonging. This announcement from Lambert and Evans demonstrates the commitment of both. With luck, passion, a tighter defence and goals from all over the pitch, relegation may be avoided but with the management team confirmed and players who want to play for us still here, the future feels so much brighter.
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bluearmy84 added 13:48 - Jan 18 g
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bluearmy84 added 13:52 - Jan 18 brilliant news!!! whether we stay up or go down i believe and can see a good structure at the club and the fans are buying into that too!!! was nice to see so many young fans at previous games with the promotions!!! Lambert has been a brilliant appointment love his personality. but i think we needed the paul hurst saga to appreciate what we now have and see how low the club has got! and i believe now it will rise once again in time, the odds are stacked against us for relegation, but if the club gets it right ticket prices right no reaso why we cant come straight back up, fill the stadiun exactly what norwich did!!!

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patthegimp added 13:58 - Jan 18 Can't stop smiling. This has just made my day, week, month,year, millenium,infinity. COYB
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beornioblue added 14:01 - Jan 18 Paul you and your staff have just made a lot of blues days !!! You are the perfect man for this and Im allowing a small glimmer of hope that we really are whistling the great escape theme
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Paddy39 added 14:14 - Jan 18 Absolutely the right thing to do and we as Town fans should thank Paul and his staff for making this commitment to our and their Club. Thanks also to ME for funding the new arrivals, it isn't over till the fat lady sings. COYB's.
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Bergholtblue added 14:23 - Jan 18 This is good news indeed and there is a buzz about the club at the minute. If Lambert can keep us up it would be a remarkable achievement. The atmosphere against Rotherham was as good as it has been for a number of years and if we can maintain that support even if we go down it would make going to watch enjoyable again. I just hope that if things don't go our way, as Evans says 'rebuilding will take time', the vitriol and abuse doesn't start all over again.

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