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

beornioblue added 11:03 - Apr 1 I personally want us to keep PL , he has brought the club and the supporters back together and there is no denying that. The football they're trying to play Isn't half bad (apart from saturday) we just cant score!! He knows that, we need to get a line drawn under this terrible season and actually have an off season trying to perfect the style he is creating. L1 is a nightmare but I'm now trying to see the positives of a team all together under a manager, getting a style of football back, getting rid of some liabilities and getting 2-3 fit strikers being supplied with ball on the floor football. Or if we are going to stick with the constant crosses please train or find some strikers who can actually head the ball!!! For those thinking this is because of MM going youre crazy, we would have eventually found ourselves down whilst suffering the worst football id imagine any of us have ever seen at PR. PL is a attacking football manager who took over a team at the bottom of the league with no funding, the most ridiculous injury problems, a leaky defence and no firing striker what did any of us expect it would have been a miracle even back then, however there have been performances recently (Forest, Bristol, Derby and West Brom) which have been good and with a goal scorer we would have I believe another 9 points. Next season is probably the most important in our recent history and Lambert is the man for the job, get it sorted ME , COYB!!

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RRanger added 12:22 - Apr 1 I see nothing in what he said on Radio Suffolk as saying he wants or is planning to leave.The season and results haven't been great so far since he has been here but the football has been a lot better and most of the fans would love him to be here next season. All he is saying is that there is never security for football managers and if there was pressure (from fans for instance) for there to be a change it might be that ME would bow to it but personally I'm confident that ME wants him here next season and I think he will be. I do think though that he would want most of our best young players to still be here.

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Duly38 added 13:22 - Apr 1 As much as he can be partly to blame for results - He's working with a load of rubbish right now. Hurst done the damage early on letting quality players leave and bringing in players that couldn't step up to the mark. Keep him, re-structure next year, get rid of 50% of our squad and give our youth a chance as plenty of them are good enough as we've already seen. CB, RB, CM (attacking), 2 ST needed.

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warkyisgod added 14:31 - Apr 1 i'm really hoping he was answering the question in the way that his record at most clubs could well mean he would be sacked, i really hope he is not thinking of leaving as to be honest i think this would kill season ticket sales and our chance of bouncing straight back up, i do know i have rose tinted glasses on when it comes to ITFC but i really don't think anyone could have changed our season and kept us up with the players we have at our disposal, yes Saturday's result was lets face it cr&p but i really don't think we were out played at any point by Hull the difference was and has been all season we just can't score goals, our stats for shooting on and off target for most of the games PL has been in charge have been really high but our inability to score has been one of the reasons we are where we are no team has really torn us apart and for all those people who wanted MM to stay how many times at the 90th minute were we singing "we've had a shot". i really believe that if PL can have a pre season with the team he wants and gets a striker or 2 that can score in League 1 then i'm sure we will bounce back, and i really hope Evans is doing all he can to keep PL, lets face it if we were to win League 1 (i know tinted glasses) Evans could well see what can happen and invest better for the championship and really have a go to get to the promise land but he has to keep PL and get as many fans in the building week in week out and that means lowering ST prices lets have 23000+ every home game not just once a month. ITID

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norfolkbluey added 14:34 - Apr 1 Duly 38 spot on. We must also try to hang onto the likes of Judge as well and players who do not get injured on a regular basis. It will be an interesting summer and I just hope the clearance take place quickly and the new players get a chance early on to gel together before the start of a new era at Portman Road. Its long overdue. If you want roses to do well you have to prune back harshly and it pays dividends for the years ahead. That's what must now happen to get the Robson years back with PL in charge.

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runningout added 16:55 - Apr 1 Most like Paul Lambert, I do too. But he hasn't made a impact Form wise. We could easily have stayed in this league, as half a dozen teams are struggling but picking up decent points. Jon Walters injury didn't help as I believe his own motivation would have woke up team. I know you don't rely on one above average player. Agree with having a good clear out as we are at a stage of forgetting how to turn over opposition. Playing well but predictable football is staring relegation and relegation again in the face. We haven't acted like a professional outfit for years. If we start now we will be laughing again!

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Gcon added 17:02 - Apr 1 he has obviously got to know marcus evans a little better, and discussed budgets.
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blueboy1981 added 17:18 - Apr 1 ....... warktheline - but you still have NO alternative solution. I'll state again :- Currently without Evans - we have NO Club. Your stance (without an alternative, as always ) - indicates you couldn't care less about the Club. I'll criticise where appropriate, but not without an alternative in mind, or an option. Otherwise - hollow words indeed.
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ITFCsince73 added 21:33 - Apr 1 thundercat600. Barts had a terrible season compared to previous.....so I doubt it. He, and him alone kept us up on more than one occasion. Producing truly world class saves. Earning countless points in the process. Because of Bart over a few seasons many games drawn that would have lost, and games won that would have drawn or even lost.
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Tampa_Florida_Blue added 00:33 - Apr 2 While reading about Evans watching the under 18yo's old Saturday, this story sprang to mind. Is PL going to step aside and take a director of football job? Then a couple of our younger managers going to step up into the first team with PL guiding them closely ? I was wanting this last years with Burley then the director of football. PL himself says something exciting is going to happen. This to me would be very exciting.

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Nobbysnuts added 08:57 - Apr 2 Personally I think Lambert should be judged on results next season. Remember you cant polish a turd and this team was a steaming one!!! But if he does go the only logical option for me is to bring George burley back with Terry butcher as his no 2. It just makes sense. Someone who loves the club. Coyb
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thundercat600 added 11:12 - Apr 2 "Some fans are questioning his record" here we go again, if he has any sense he will take on board what happened to MM and TC and get the hell out of this club and the toxic so called fans that will turn on him
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fieldsofblue added 13:24 - Apr 2 I think everyone is over-reacting. He's in it for the long term, I just think he is being careful not to sound presumptuous after the actual points haul since taking over. the football on Saturday was neat and attractive, same as Forest game. The only difference between the two sides was the finishing. too many clear opportunities missed the target. they had a couple of sniffs and finished neatly for both. All the signs are there that this team has the basis to be a good side. Come on Lambert, keep up the good work and the whole ship will turn under your guidance... Up the town.

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