Blues boss Paul Lambert appears to have called into question whether he will be at Portman Road next season.

Lambert and owner Marcus Evans released a joint-statement in January to confirm that the Scot, who took charge in late October following Paul Hurst’s sacking signing a three-year deal, would be staying on regardless of which division the Blues found themselves in next season and it would be a surprise if the situation has changed.

Evans's position is not believed to have changed and we understand the club firmly expect Lambert to still be at Portman Road for a 2019/20 campaign which will almost certainly be in League One.

Further to that, Lambert has stated on a number of occasions that he wants to be the man to rebuild Town using the young players coming through the academy and has also already begun preparations for a pre-season trip to Germany.

Lambert hasn't been tipped for any other jobs since taking over at Town, although his former club Celtic will be after a new permanent boss in the summer with Neil Lennon in temporary charge since Brendan Rodgers's departure. Lambert is currently a 20-1 outsider for the job with the bookies.

However, speaking to Radio Suffolk in his regular post-match interview (39mins 47secs), Lambert appeared to suggest that that he might not necessarily be the Blues' manager next season.

Asked whether he felt it was fair that some fans are questioning his record with Town having won only two of his 25 games in charge, Lambert said: “Of course it is, that’s results. If the club don’t want me to stay here, there’s no problem I’ll go, it’s not an issue. I don’t have any issue whatsoever.

“The club’s more important than me, it’s more important than any individual. The club will outlive everybody, so if the club want to me to go at the end of the season, I don’t have a problem. None.

“But what I would say is that being here and being the manager of the club, it’s an unbelievable club to manage.

“So, whoever gets the job at the end of the season if I’m not here, you’ve got an incredible club behind you, you’ve got an incredible support behind you, so there’s no problem for me.”

Questioned on whether he was still fully confident he’ll turn things around given time, which Evans is almost certain to give him, Lambert added: “Wait and see what happens at the end of the season, what’s going to happen’s going to happen. I know in my own head what’s going to happen but wait and see but what I will say is if I’m not here, then I’m proud to be the manager here because those fans deserve unbelievable football.”

Asked to clarify that he wants to be at Town next season, Lambert responded: “I told you, wait and see what’s going to happen, and that’s me being honest with everybody. I love the club, I love the support, it’s fantastic.

“Listen, I’ve been at massive clubs, huge clubs that have won the highest honours and I’ve played in front of great atmospheres, at great stadia, great fans. Ipswich is up there, 100 per cent they’re up there and what a place to get your football right, that’s for sure.”

When it was suggested a change of manager at Town in the summer would be crazy with the club requiring stability, Lambert added: “Listen, I’m too long in the tooth to think you can rest. Football is a great game for kicking somewhere where you don’t want it.

“I’ve been involved in the highest owners and clubs, the highest everything. Marcus Evans is a brilliant guy, the club’s in a good place with what could happen because of the young ones it’s got and the support it’s got behind it, and that’s the main [thing].

“The most important people aren’t me, it’s the supporters and the players. I want what’s best for the football club and the record of not winning games is absolutely not good enough, we’ve drawn too many games. But playing football-wise we’ve been exciting.

“As I said before, I was at an ex-players’ dinner last night and when you talk about legends at the football club, they were all there in abundance and it shows you how much it means to everybody.”

Photo: TWTD

Paramedic added 21:30 - Mar 30 Jas0999 sorry it was meant to be an up vote from me.
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dav86 added 21:32 - Mar 30 I'll have a go at a different angle here. Maybe were being sold, Evans may have found a buyer and lambert feels he's going to get the boot. New owner new idea. Just maybe...........
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ITFCsince73 added 21:41 - Mar 30 As much as I've loved the club for over 40 years. Is there any one mug enough to buy it? What's it worth? Evans would have to give it away, with any debt owed written off. That's our only way to a new owner any time soon.
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Michael101 added 21:44 - Mar 30 Have Scotland come calling?? Don't want him to leave ,but who would not want to emboss of your own country, even if there not very good. .after all he has been saying about ipswic h town . That's the only job that would turn my head.
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BecclesBlue500 added 21:59 - Mar 30 You're all doing it again; "...Lambert has galvanised our club.." "..Lambert is great.." He may have SAID all the right things at the right time; told us all how great our club is; how great the fans are, how great the legends are etc; but he's had more time than Hurst, has had a transfer window, has had plenty of time with this squad to make us better - or at least harder to beat. And he hasn't. This fantasy that we've stolen something from Norwich and this perpetual, misplaced misty-eyed perverse satisfaction that "he loves us more than he ever loved them" is messing with your heads.

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Len_Brennan added 22:09 - Mar 30 This sounds like the kind of thing an experienced manager comes out with when he's unhappy with the club's ability or commitment to bringing in / retaining key players. Perhaps the Owner hasn't done all he could to get Alan Judge to sign on for next season?
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Dissblue added 22:09 - Mar 30 I think that having been asked about his record this season Lambert won't take it for granted that Evans won't want another manager next season. My worry is that Evans is probably fool enough to do it!
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bluevein added 22:14 - Mar 30 Great work, distract everyone from the dreadful performance. Alastair Campbell would be proud. Spin.
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ringwoodblue added 22:18 - Mar 30 I agree with BecclesBlue. Although Lambert says all the right things and has excelled as a PR man, he simply isn't turning performances into wins. My fear is that we will finish the season without another win and that means we will start next season slowly and low in confidence. Jack Ross has done a decent job at Sunderland and turned a similar situation around so I would bring in a new manager asap and hope he can do the same. Lambert has had his chance and he's failed to get results and keep us in the championship.

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BlueWax added 22:24 - Mar 30 So in recent months the whole club has been galvanised and now all of a sudden a lacklustre performance from the team and rumblings that a storm is brewing. The fans deserve better than having hopes dashed as it had been agreed PL would be here next season. Once I heard the interview with him on bbc Suffolk I immediately thought omg... he will now walk. Some people get paid to ask questions but perhaps payment to keep quiet would have been better! Feeling gutted tonight!

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AbujaBlue added 22:31 - Mar 30 I read it in two different ways. It's either as others fear and he has been sniffed out elsewhere (let's face it, he does move around clubs quite a lot). Or he just honestly answered the question posed to him. The win record is not great, and with most clubs a sacking would be near. He was just honestly answering the question? Either way, he was worked wonders regarding the mental condition of the club. Changing results after the debacle of PH is taking longer but it will cone.

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goat_man added 22:39 - Mar 30 If he now walks and leaves us with Chambers on a two year deal I will be so angry with this club!
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TrueBlueSince72 added 22:46 - Mar 30 Really hope this is not what it seems. PL has not improved results but anyone who actually watches the matches can see that he's improved the performances and undoubtedly the feel and atmosphere around the club. He's had to work with the cards he was dealt and just one transfer window in which he had limited funds and the proposition of joining a team adrift at the bottom of the table. Surely we're no going to get rid before giving him a real chance to show what he can do? If he has a better offer from elsewhere that could be a completely different story though...........

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algarvefan added 23:12 - Mar 30 Personally I don't mind if Lambert is our manager next season, but lets be blunt here, how is he any better with results (it's a results based game folks) that Hurst was? The football today was dire, the very simple basics, passing, running with the ball and shooting was awful, so how come some of you love Lambert the PR man? Seriously folks Lambert is not the Messiah but then neither is he a very naughty boy!! Time will tell but we were relegated today, even Lazarus wouldn't recover from our position.

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TimmyH added 23:21 - Mar 30 Seriously what other club would be really interested in getting Lambert based on recent years results!?! - 8% win rate with us and 13% at Stoke - dreadful!
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Bert added 23:24 - Mar 30 My interpretation is that Lambert is saying he doesn't take anything for granted. He knows he could be sacked for underachieving but he also knows he won't be. That said, unless there's something we don't know, the club better clarify the matter when season ticket prices are announced.
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Carberry added 23:41 - Mar 30 Lambert won't be hanging around if he gets a better offer. Managing in League 1 with an owner who will lose even more interest could end his career. He talks the talk but he's a losing manager as his record shows. He has made no difference at all, we are adrift at the bottom and supposedly playing entertaining football 'that's really, really, good'. I've never heard of a bottom club playing wonderful football to get them out of trouble, when did that ever happen? We only needed a little bit of help, so what went so badly wrong Paul? And please stop the patronising BS about how wonderful the club and the fans are, it's wearing very thin.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 00:58 - Mar 31 Ominous
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Marcus added 03:38 - Mar 31 Imagine the scenario that Evans has just told him he's selling the club and will leave at the end of the season. PL doesn't know if the new owner will want to change things around or any details yet. Then listen again. It fits the uncertainty.
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clint_eastwood added 05:43 - Mar 31 I really like him a lot and he ticked all the boxes and I definitely want him to stay but results hasn't been good, has it. Just 2 wins in 25. That's quite questionable...and pretty worrying I must say.
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harlingblue added 05:47 - Mar 31 PL has brought the club and supporters together, something that MM couldn't give a flying f..k about. However PL plays about with the selection of the team almost as much as PH, but with even poorer results. We were poor today, totally toothless, no passion, apart from Nsiala. Seems to have a grudge about playing some players, Harrison and Donacien come to mind. Two bad kicks by Bart lead to the Hull first goal, the lack of cover of Kenlock allowed a Hull player to brush off several half-hearted challengers to set up their second goal. I watched, and noted that it took about 8 passes in our half on numerous occasions before a meaningful ball was played to a loan striker, that has no ability to head or hold up the ball. Hull were a very average side, but when they attacked, 3 or more players busted their gut to get into our penalty area. Just saying it, as I saw it.

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martin587 added 07:47 - Mar 31 I was rather surprised with the interview and some of his comments could be taken either way.I personally think he will be here next season.Loosing to Hull was the final kick in the teeth and for him ,reality then kicked in and he felt he had let everybody down.(Div1 will be a massive challenge for everybody next season and he knows that.) I know there are mixed feeling over his management but for me he needs one full season to prove something at least. I will be pleased if he remains manager next season.This club needs stability,don't you think.!

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blueboy1981 added 08:38 - Mar 31 Mass clear out required - if that includes the Manager, so be it, yet again. Lambert doesn't seem to know what he wants at this point, somewhat contradictory far too often in his statements, and his results over a long period of time (not only with us) are not impressive to be honest. What has he done since being with us ? - galvanised the fans with the Club undoubtedly, expressed his loyalty and commitment to the Club, and cause - this all now has to come into question with his comments. He needs to make up his mind - or get out. This Club just has to move forward - with, or without Lambert, and a few (maybe more) players who really are not up to Championship standard - and possibly NOT League One even. That performance yesterday just wasn't good enough - Mick Mills summary, as usual, was spot on. Time for Lambert to prove himself in the game - again. Talk is always cheap, but only lasts so long.

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blueboy1981 added 08:48 - Mar 31 Typical ITFC uncertainty - no wonder we are where we are. However was this mess allowed to develop ? - can we have any confidence in anything with the Club anymore ? Doubtful.
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ArnieM added 08:53 - Mar 31 I hope to God Lambert stays. If he leaves we are well and truly fooled. People point the finger at results not being any better than Hursts reign, but conveniently “ forget”that this is STILL Hursts squad . Lambert had next to no chance of securing any decent players in that January window , so he had been forced to bring in loanees for the remainder of this season. Trust me, if he stays next season, 1) there will be minimal loanees at this Club. 2) there will be a squad of Young players with a spine of experience. Evans KNOWS this, so I seriously doubt he will be sacking Paul Lambert on the basis of this seasons performamces / results. The only thing we need to seriously worry about is if a more attractive offer comes in from a big Club. And that Club might well be Celtic! Otherwise I can't see why Lbert won't be here next season. Can we now all kneel and on 3, PRAY like f luck!!

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