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

sotd78 added 15:14 - Mar 31 This is another piece of brilliant PL PR. He's on a 3 year contract. He's saying all the right things. The club is bigger than him. He's the antithesis of McCarthy who thought he was bigger than us. He's saying love me much as I love you. Great guy. We're going to be fine.
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ITFCsince73 added 15:23 - Mar 31 Takes a lot of pride in the fact he's managed ITFC. If he does walk now. He goes down as the clubs worst ever manager. Won't be so proud then....I expect him to stay.
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DifferentGravy added 15:42 - Mar 31 Shambles. Kit.....selling our best players.......lack of expenditure.......Hurst......signings.......performances.......Lambert........2 wins in god knows how many......ambiguous comments.......but most of all.......Evans.........shambles Great history, great support Time fans took a stand.......EVAN OUT
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Cheshire_Blue added 16:49 - Mar 31 Why are we going down to the third tier of English football for the first time in over 50 years ? Simple. Because of the idiots who drove out the man who would have prevented it. And they don't like being told.
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warktheline added 18:03 - Mar 31 Those continually backing Evans have no right to be moaning about being kept in the dark! After all if it wasn't for ‘your man' we wouldn't have a club, right?
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kltractor added 18:28 - Mar 31 Magilton, Keene, Jewell, McCarthy, Hurst, Lambert all under achieved under same owner when will people realise problems are far deeper than who manages the club.
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blueboy1981 added 18:36 - Mar 31 ...... warktheline - absolute fact that if (currently) we didn't have Evans - we simply wouldn't have a Club. Whether we like the guy, or not, it's fact. I'll ask yet again :- Where are the alternatives in terms of Ownership ? - plenty of criticism, justified or otherwise, but as yet NO answers to the question for the umpteenth time..... !!
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Dissboyitfc added 18:39 - Mar 31 Cheshire I left the blue out, because you are no blue! You only post when you can get your bcare4whatyouwishfor card out! All teams get relegated when MM leaves! But ask yourself this, would wolves be where they are now playing the football they are playing now, if MM was still there? No is the answer to that and not one single fan would want him back instead of what they have now, that's a fact! I for one, and I am probably not alone in this, am totally 100% pleased Mm has gone, if we have to spend a little time out of the top 2 divisions, then so be it. Once again Cheshire I wish I could mark you down twice, for your gloating and joy at being able to show bcare4whatyouwishfor card out. The club needs supporters not gloaters, I bet you don't even go to Portman rd!

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Wooly74 added 18:55 - Mar 31 As a mad football fan of this beautiful club for close to 45 years who is also a businessman, I would like to make the following remarks regarding the current situation of the club. Sadly, there are a number of comments on here that I simply can not agree with. Evans, whether you like him or not has bank rolled this club for over 10 years and without him we would have been like Portsmouth, broke and probably fighting for our very survival in the lower reaches of League 2. Yes, it is true that a lack of investment over the last five years and our typical law abiding family club that we are with sticking with financial fair play rules has ultimately cost us. But it is what it is, we are where we are because over the last 10 years we have tried to run the club within boundaries and made some desperately poor marketing decisions. Pricing fans out of the games with season ticket prices that have made thousands turn their backs on us. Prices within the stadium for crap pies and drink that again means that most fans would rather grab food away from the stadium. Poor decisions with regards to contracts and sales (often fire sales) of key players for knock down prices. Not blooding enough of the younger players towards the end of seasons when we have nothing to play for. Getting rid of certain ex players who were big on the field many years ago and big off it with PR and marketing. A fan zone that is unbelievably poor and shows just how far we have fallen. No deals for kids to really get them backing the team. My own son is the first of five generations who has decided that Ipswich is not his team, is there any wonder with some of the decisions above. So, how do we change it??? Reverse a lot of the above, kids for a pound every game for those under 12, drop season ticket prices by £100 in all areas and offer those loyal fans who have had a season ticket for greater than 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 further structured discount for key games. Get some of the real legends back involved in the club and totally rip up the fan zone so it's not just a cheesy band and warm beer on a match day, beat the keeper, meet a legend, meet current squad players who are out injured and get them to mix with the fans. Make the food in the stadium and fan zone something to be proud of at cut prices so a fiver gets you a pie and a drink with change to spare! Offer schools free tickets for the kids and lay on a stadium tour to boot at the start of the day so they feel the atmosphere and build up of the match. Get legends around the pitch before the game (even Ed Shearan if he will come!!) I have so many more ideas and would offer my services free of charge if the club wants to listen!!! Frustrated doesn't come close....

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warktheline added 19:10 - Mar 31 Blueboy, I'll continue to be critical of Evans ownership with or without an alternative ! Unlike you I've remained steadfast on his negative impact on our club.....you are not the only one who can or is allowed to criticise the club! Death by a thousand cuts under Evans, something you appear more than willing to accept because 'there are no alternatives'! Walk away Evans, what will be will be, the club may go through turmoil, but it will out live all and sundry!

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terryf added 19:21 - Mar 31 The question was does he understand people's frustration over results, so I guess what he was saying was if the Owner decides to let me go I'd understand. Perhaps Brenner Wooley should have asked as a followup was assuming the Owner wants you to stay is your future committed to the Club. I'm sure the answer would have been YES. The opportunity to put his own stamp on the Team and nuture some very promising youngsters, along with a fan base that loves him, would be too silly to miss. Already he has done so much, not unfortunately with results, but with morale both on and off the pitch. OK a goal scorer is essential but apart from signing up Alan Judge and one or two defenders not a lot needs changing. Next season will not be easy because every Team is going to see us as a scalp worth having, but as long as we remain competitive throughout the season we'll be knocking on the door for promotion.

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Marinersnose added 19:40 - Mar 31 ITFCsince73 no I don't believe it was Paul Hursts decision entirely, clearly Evans holds the purse strings. I do however know that Hurst was responsible for one of these sales. Evans has caused so many problems it's difficult to see anyone getting us out of the mire. For me PL has improved the style of football and the atmosphere and maybe with some additions we could progress

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dirtydingusmagee added 19:42 - Mar 31 PL clearly showed ME the rot in the ''apple'' went right to the core, ME cant hack it. I have no doubts that we will now lose Lambert, Just when most of us hadnt accepted we were in the sh#t it looks like we could be slipping even deeper into it. There will be a hell of a smell hanging in the air over Ipswich soon i fear, and wont be from muck spreading .
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ITFCsince73 added 19:57 - Mar 31 Cheshireblue. And there was me thinking it was the heroics of Bart that kept us up. But it was Mick after all.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:01 - Mar 31 Wooley74. You get my vote....your vision sounds fantastic.
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ITFCsince73 added 20:08 - Mar 31 Agreed Marinersnose. Paul Hurst was on a loser before his 1st day in office. Last July he was a great young coach with a red hot reputation. Within weeks he was deemed the opposite. Was never accepted at the club from all circles it seemed from the off. Simply hasn't returned to the game yet, because of the huge pay off received. Six figures reported, I would imagine well into 6 figures.

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tractorollson added 21:02 - Mar 31 Lets face it PL hasnt exactly done much since hes been here, we have continued to lose games and most managers would of been sacked now anyway, I welcome the next man , PL isnt the man to take us forward
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Wooly74 added 23:09 - Mar 31 I once presented a hour PowerPoint presentation at the club back in 2003 just after I left the Army as a logistics Captain with the Gurkhas on how I would look to use the current Ipswich bus infrastructure to promote free park and ride options from the south and north of the town all the way to the ground itself and immediately straight back at the end of the game. The initiative was one I have seen right across Europe and works exceptionally well to ferry fans away from Town centre busy stadiums. If we had gone up again that year (sadly lost to West Ham in the play offs) I wa told the club were keen to talk further to me. We really are losing a lot of identity, watching F.C. Twente in Holland recently, they have their own fans bar where players come in after the games and music etc is laid on until around midnight. Most of their games are night games that don't start until 8pm and whilst it might not work in exactly the same format the concept could well be used to bring the fans closer to the team again. They also have drums in the stadium to amplify the noise and atmosphere around the stadium it's huge and could be used in certain areas if managed correctly. The maintrouble is that we have lost our identity as a club, there's nothing different or exciting about the build up or post match, whilst the fans are brilliant m, over time they have moved away and we have to try new things to get people back on board. Pre season friendlies that will get people coming in against Dutch or German sides... why can't we play Düsseldorf for example and engage with their fan base about getting as many of them over as possible and engaging with the fans here. We need flags in the stadium for the boys to be waved out too and seriously at F.C. Twente it's amazing, just look it up on You Tube to see what I mean. So many different approaches and ways to get fans engaged out there and our club is not looking to do any of them. A serious drop in season tocjeta followed by an injection into match day entertainment and improvements as mentioned earlier to the fan zone, food etc etc gets people turning up. I bet ME would rather see 25,000 every home game in League 1 than the current situation so he has to act now and come out and let fans know what the prices will be next season...

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thundercat600 added 07:12 - Apr 1 So, the clubs position is nothing to do with MM being hounded out is it, or the very same people who hounded MM out wanted him replaced with a young dynamic young manager. Well we can all see how this has panned out can't we, as we know the MM out brigade will never ever admit that if it was not for their actions we would not be performing in league one next season

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londontractorboy57 added 08:35 - Apr 1 Wooly all you need are results they are what get fans going all these distractions are for clubs in a failing mode to cover the cracks and reasons for the cracks. As for drums they are a horrible racket!!!!!!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:42 - Apr 1 Wooly74: You make some interesting points in your two posts. Firstly, quite agree about the importance of connecting with the fans. For too long the club has been run solely as a business without any feeling for the community-based connection that all good clubs must build up. The jury is still out whether ME is learning from his mistakes. Better pricing and more imaginative pre-match activities would certainly help. (I don't think you can run stadium tours before the match, though: not practical in that certain areas of the ground, such as the changing rooms,will be taken up with pre-match preparations). As for your second post about Twente, you can reproduce that for just about any continental club, be it The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, or whatever. In the UK, there are so many restrictions on what you can do or bring into the ground that atmospheres are way behind our European counterparts. Just Youtube Malmö, AIK, Djurgården et al. in Sweden, and you will see the same thing: masses of flags, noise, and organised "tifos" that make most of our grounds look like libraries. (A big club like L'pool put on quite a good show, and Palace seem to do it as well, but many of even our big grounds are boringly quiet.) If we can't win on the pitch, it would be nice if ITFC could gain a bit of a reputation as a vociferously supported club. I think we have a bit of a way to go yet, though...

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pragmatic added 09:03 - Apr 1 AS QUITE OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN MANAGERS HAVE A MICROPHONE PUSHED IN THEIR FACE AFTER FINAL WHISTLE & IMOTIONS ARE RAW THINGS CAN BE MISINTREPTED, ADD TO THAT THE "BRENDA WOOLLEYS" OF THIS WORLD WHO ASK THE QUESTIONS, A PERSON WHO APPEARS TO BE POSITIVLEY ELATED WHEN THE OPPOSITION SCORE!!!! I FOR ONE ALONG WITH A LOT OF SUPPORTERS HOPE LAMBERT STAYS, COYB
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pragmatic added 09:09 - Apr 1 EMOTIVE POINT & SHOULD HAVE MEANT EMOTIONS!!!!
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raycrawfordswig added 10:25 - Apr 1 Jeez a lot of trolls on here winding up the town fans who accept all the 5hit on here as the gospel truth .
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Razor added 10:45 - Apr 1 Am I the only one now beginning to have niggling doubts about this guy leading us next season? He jumps up and down and waves his arms a lot and says all nice things about the supporters,which is nice, but his results just do not stack up. And I thought I had seen the last of just one striker up front at home when we desperately need to win the game----so so annoying. Am I on my own here----if he does want to go or goes then I would be after the man I wanted last summer,Paul Tisdale.

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