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Boss Lambert and Assistant Taylor Leave Town
Sunday, 28th Feb 2021 21:25

Town have announced that manager Paul Lambert has left the club by mutual consent along with his assistant Stuart Taylor.

“I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Paul and Stuart for their services to Ipswich Town over the last two and a half years,” Town owner Marcus Evans told the club website.

“I have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with Paul in our time together and he has brought a lot of positive aspects to the club.

“It has, however, become clear after holding discussions over the last few days that there are significant differences of opinion as to the order of immediate priorities and we agreed it was best for us to part company. I would like to wish both Paul and Stuart the best in the future.”

TWTD understands first-team coach Matt Gill, who has taken a more prominent role in recent weeks, is set to take charge of Tuesday's game at Accrington as caretaker-manager working alongside other members of the club's existing staff.

Lambert took charge of the Blues in October 2018 following Paul Hurst’s disastrous short time in charge.

In his first season he failed to prevent the club from being relegated to the third tier for the first time since 1956/57.

Despite this, Lambert’s initial moves to heal the rift with fans which had developed during the Mick McCarthy era saw him receive the backing of supporters despite results not having improved.

After a promising start in League One, Town’s season drifted away and the Blues ended the curtailed settled-on-points-per-game campaign 11th.


Midway through that season, with the cracks already beginning to show and fans by now less enthused by his management, Lambert was controversially handed a new five-year contract.

This season also started brightly before the Blues similarly slid into mid-table with relationships breaking down both inside and outside the club.

Jon Nolan and Kayden Jackson were banished to train with the U23s, while TWTD’s Phil Ham was banned from press conferences and relationships with the rest of the media were frosty with Lambert often sending other members of his coaching staff to meet the press.

Fans have become ever more frustrated by his management with demonstrations led by fans’ group Blue Action - who met with Lambert in the early days to discuss improving Portman Road’s atmosphere and whose pin badge the boss wore at a number of press conferences - becoming increasingly frequent and gaining greater media prominence.

Overall, Lambert’s record with the Blues reads played 113, won 37, drew 28, lost 48, a win percentage of 32.74.

Lambert's departure comes as no surprise with the manager himself having said on Saturday that it was 99.9 per cent certain he would leave if the ongoing US-backed takeover went through. We understand he told players Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Doncaster was likely to be his last game in charge prior to kick-off.

Lambert and Evans are understood to have exchanged cross words at a meeting at Portman Road on Thursday and it’s believed that there was a similar mood to a phone call on Friday.

Former Portsmouth, Wigan and Chesterfield boss Paul Cook has been tipped to become the Blues’ boss as part of the takeover and we understand the 54-year-old has indeed been sounded out regarding the role.

Ex-Town winger Gary Roberts is believed to be being eyed for a position on the coaching staff at Cook’s next club. The 36-year-old is currently a player with Tuesday’s opponents Stanley.

When and whether Cook’s appointment is confirmed remains to be seen with the consortium also believed to be keen on Lincoln boss Michael Appleton, although having signed a new four-year deal at Sincil Bank earlier in the week the 45-year-old may now be out of the running.

In January TWTD reported that Cook had been contacted by current owner Evans regarding the vacancy. Evans is also understood to have spoken to a number of other managers in recent months including ex-Millwall and Cardiff boss Neil Harris and former Huddersfield and Lincoln boss Danny Cowley.

As reported towards the end of the week, the incoming consortium is closing in on taking charge of the club in a £30 million deal with some sources suggesting the takeover could be completed within a couple of weeks, although these matters can drag on due to red tape such as EFL ratification.

While Los Angeles-based businessman Brett Johnson, a leading figure at US clubs Phoenix Rising and FC Tucson, has entered the spotlight after following Town’s Twitter account, we understand the 51-year-old is just one of a number of investors with former West Brom chief executive officer Mike O'Leary believed to be the leading figure.

O'Leary is close to Bristol City chief executive Mark Ashton, a former board member at West Brom and one-time goalkeeper with the Baggies, who is understood to have been ear-marked for the same position at Town.

Robins head of operations/club secretary Luke Werhun is also believed to be wanted by the new set-up. However, there is no confirmation that either will be leaving Ashton Gate.

Ashton and O’Leary were previously part of a group which staged a takeover at Oxford United in 2014, with Appleton, a former West Brom player and caretaker-boss, having been manager.

Johnson, O’Leary and Ashton are directors of a company called Gamechanger 20, which was formed last year and is believed to be the vehicle for facilitating the takeover.

Also among the other directors of Gamechanger 20 is Berke Bakay, principal owner, governor and co-chairman of Phoenix Rising, who made his money from Kona Grill, a restaurant chain.

TWTD understands that much of the financial backing for the takeover will come from the pension fund for the fire and police services of a so-far unnamed US state.


Photo: Matchday Images



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Marinermagic added 07:54 - Mar 1
I personally wish Paul Lambert all the best going forward, not that he will see this comment on a site that has given a platform to a vociferous minority to voice opinions way above their pay grades, As with the local comic i.e. EADT and their wannabe journalists a manager has been put under unnecessary pressure and at a time, due to Covid, when he least needed it.
I don't care if TWTD are allowed back in the press room, when you read an article that says Mark Ashton a former West Brom goalkeeper is being considered for a similar position at Portman Road can one assume that Holy is on his way as well ?
Good Luck Paul, as with MM you are better off out of it as the experts on here now think everything will change for the better - careful what you wish for !
-8

grumpyoldman added 07:57 - Mar 1
I seem to remember some on here thought Paul Hirst would be a success after MM, some thought PL would be a success, some thought MM was a success. It all comes down to opinion. IMHO definitely not Lampard, limited success at Derby built on a lot of money, got out before money dried up.
0

norfolkbluey added 08:03 - Mar 1
That's about everything we could hope for. PL has left another club before the end of his contract. I think that's in line with his CV. For me I do hope we go with someone with a high profile like Eddie Howe or Lampard. It would be good to get in a manager who is likely to stay long term for club stability. It has been a decade and more of disaster after disaster. We all long for some Robson years because we all deserve it. In some ways we should thank ME for bailing us out but not for his decision making and in many other aspects. So come on you Blues there IS light on the horizon.
-2

johnwarksshorts added 08:03 - Mar 1
New era. COYB!
-2

WhoisJimmyJuan added 08:11 - Mar 1
I see this as nothing to celebrate. Just the latest in a long line of failures by Evans, the last of which might be the sale of the club 8nto worse hands. Our club was built on prudent stewardship with shrewd managerial appointments and financial common sense. But we are long past those days now.
2

Northstandveteran added 08:14 - Mar 1
@BrandonsBlue

I agree with your 1st sentence.

I think it was as simple as Evans telling Lambert that the club will soon be under new ownership and they want to bring in their own management team.

In the meantime there will be lots of rumours and speculation until the new owners make a statement of their intent.
1

TractorJed added 08:17 - Mar 1
Right call, we move on!!
-1

leftie1972 added 08:18 - Mar 1
Hallelujah!
-2

RegencyBlue added 08:24 - Mar 1
A problem gone, THE problem to go!
0

Michael101 added 08:24 - Mar 1
I see The BBC web site is linking Lambert to the Celtic job.wonder if this has been on the cards or just gossip.
0

grumpyoldman added 08:28 - Mar 1
Marinermagic, this site is used for debating, I agree some think we have a large influence on what goes on at the club. One thing you said was about Mark Ashton is being considered for a similar position here! This made me research your statement Mark Ashton has moved on and is CEO at Bristol City.
0

Marinermagic added 08:36 - Mar 1
Hi grumpy old man. Yes aware of Ashton being at Bristol City but had read the article and assumed we had a new goalkeeper ....
O'Leary is close to Bristol City chief executive Mark Ashton, a former board member at West Brom and one-time goalkeeper with the Baggies, who is understood to have been ear-marked for the same position at Town......
Also again taking the opportunity to wish PL a full recovery from Covid and it's terrible after effects. From professional experience I know only too well how draining this can be and stress is the very last thing you need. Good Luck Paul.
0

eddiespearitt03 added 08:44 - Mar 1
It is bizarrely interesting that tensions with Lambert and Evans only came about after a string of poor performances and embarrassing defeats. It was only then that Lambert spoke out about how awful the clubs structure is. It took a long time for that to come out.
Lambert knew that when things go sour he had the comfort of an extended contract. A nice pay out and a reward for failure. A loss of pride one day and a nice bank balance the next. It highlights how ridiculous the football industry is and how clueless some club owners are.
2

thechangingman added 08:46 - Mar 1
I wish neither of them any ill-will, but I've long felt we would never make any progress under Lambert.
Here's to what will hopefully become an unfolding story of BIG New-Beginnings - i.e. Evans selling on, and new, more ambitious owners investing.
For today, I wish Lambert all the best; but I am VERY glad his tenure is over...

COYB!!!
1

Bazza8564 added 08:59 - Mar 1
Feels nicely choreographed to me, Gill been doing more in readiness to step up, would suggest getting this sorted was a condition of the takeover, expect that to be done very soon now. The press release is nothing more than both parties saving face.
Onwards and upwards now
0

ringwoodblue added 09:00 - Mar 1
Much as I welcome this news, I think the timing is regrettable. On the back of two good wins and a day before a critical match against Stanley, sacking Taylor after he's just lost his father. Evans should have done this months ago.

I think this is the right decision but I have even less respect for Evans than I had before ( and that wasn't much!)
4

coolhand added 09:07 - Mar 1
It's no good PL saying that things need to be done, he signed the 5 year contract knowing exactly what was on the table and the playing squad he has is mainly his and should have been good enough to be comfortably in at least the top 8. For some reason, and I don't blame Evans, he failed to ignite the players. I am sure that there is a few, only a few, managers available who can get the team into the top 6 this season under M E conditions which I'm sure are pretty good. Would like that to happen before money men (not football men) come in and run the club for a few years and then dump us.
-2

ElephantintheRoom added 09:12 - Mar 1
And so the downward spiral gathers pace. Presumably the greedy gravy train rider has already found another potential pay off - presumably Celtic. I suppose the same people who are excited by one hapless dud leaving to be replaced by another - and another faceless offshore owner with no knowledge or interest in the club are the same ones who thought Marcus Evans and Roy Keane were good news.
0

slade1 added 09:13 - Mar 1
I wish Lambert and Taylor all the best in the future.
Its blindingly obvious he cares a lot about this club and its a shame things didn't work out. With recent results and performances, perhaps we have turned the corner, perhaps Lambert might have been the saviour of ITFC. Who know now.

Am I the only one who is not getting too excited about the proposed takeover?
I haven't got a crystal ball so don't know how its going to work out but I really fear for our club now. Takeovers can be disastrous, especially by Americans! I hope I'm wrong!!
5

PutneyBlue added 09:17 - Mar 1
I think Lambert took the job thinking there would be a budget for new players. So do we all in the first transfer window, but was increasingly frustrated at having to play wing man to Evans, without enough money forthcoming. It's pretty clear that McCarthy would have achieved more if he'd been backed like Keane and Jewell were, and I think the same is true of Lambert.
In my opinion, Evans has been the problem and not the managers
1

Orraman added 09:19 - Mar 1
Well that is one half of the problem resolved but those of you who complain of the invisibility of ME, which you are right to do, just wait till you get the American consortium you wish for. They will make ME look as if he was never out your face. As it appears likely that ME is selling up please, please let it be to someone British who has an understanding of our game. Don't want no soccer here y'all
2

Marinersnose added 09:20 - Mar 1
I wish PL all the best for the future. His time here will not be remembered in a particularly positive way however there are two extremely positive changes Lambert has made at our club.
1. He got the crowds back to PR and the atmosphere and that was excellent after years of a quiet empty stadium.
2. He confronted ME and told him a few home truths in relation to the manner in which the club is being run. Yes he did this for selfish reasons but it appears to have worked and I'm extremely grateful.

Onwards and upwards. No rash appointments please.
6

PutneyBlue added 09:21 - Mar 1
*so did we àll
0

Michael101 added 09:32 - Mar 1
On dear the new owners berke ,thoughts had one of them a!ready
0

IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:32 - Mar 1
The last few results have shown that we can be a decent team, we are still in contention for a play-off place and have a good if bloated squad.
I didn't expect us to pick up a single point from the last three games based on our previous showing against Northampton. In those circumstances next season would have been the target, as it is this season is still alive.
We have great potential so lets hope a decent manager is tempted.
1


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