Town have announced that goalkeeper-coach Jimmy Walker is leaving the club with immediate effect with Blues boss Paul Cook set to recruit a replacement.

In the meantime academy keeper-coach Carl Pentney will temporarily work with the club's first-team glovesmen.

“I have thanked Jimmy for his work at the club,” Cook told the club website. “I explained to him that I just want to look to freshen things up right across the board.

“Jimmy knows the game and change often happens in football when a new manager takes over. I want to wish him all the best for the future.

“Carl will work with the keepers for now and we will immediately begin the process of looking for the right person to come in and join the staff.”

Cook's Wigan goalkeeper-coach Nick Colgan, who had a brief spell with Town as a player without making a senior appearance, is currently working at Nottingham Forest.

Walker's departure leaves first-team coach Matt Gill as the only remaining member of Lambert's staff still at the club.

Cook brought in Gary Roberts as another first-team coach, while U23s coach Kieron Dyer has played an increasing role with the senior side since Cook took over, the new manager having been impressed by the former England international's coaching abilities.

Leam Richardson, Cook's assistant at Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan, has been linked with a move to the Blues in the summer, however, appears increasingly likely to be offered the Wigan's manager's job. Richardson is currently interim-boss of the Latics.

We understand former Blues central defender John McGreal, who played alongside Cook at Tranmere, is also in contention for a role at Portman Road.

Walker joined the club in November 2018 following Paul Lambert’s appointment as manager having been working at Sunderland.

The 47-year-old had played for Lambert during a loan spell at Colchester United during 2008/09, making 16 appearances.

The Sutton-in-Ashfield-born keeper began his playing career at Notts County before a long spell with Walsall where he made his name - making 404 of his total of 483 league starts plus two sub appearances - and secured a Bosman free move to West Ham in the summer of 2004.

Having played for the Hammers in play-off semi-finals against the Blues in his first season at Upton Park, he joined Tottenham in September 2009, before returning to Walsall - where he added another 50 league starts - prior to stints with Peterborough and Lincoln.

Walker, who is based in Stamford, began his coaching career with Posh in 2013 before moving on to Gillingham and then the Imps during their 2016/17 Vanarama National League championship campaign, in which they beat the Blues in the FA Cup, before joining new Sunderland’s staff that summer.

Photo: Matchday Images

pennblue added 11:51 - Apr 15 JOHN McGreaaaaallllll OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH JOHN McGreal JOHN McGreaaaaalllll OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH JOHN McGreal JOHN McGreal........... JOHN McGreal, JOHN McGreal.........
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OwainG1992 added 12:01 - Apr 15 John McGreal would be a great shout.
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Suffolkboy added 12:14 - Apr 15 PC has been quietly observing and researching the ‘assets ‘ on the playing and coaching staff ,and is no doubt now ever more closely involved by the new owners and Chairman in helping restructure, realign and redesign the functions and personnel structures for the future . Clarity and professionalism will be the byword ,and nobody can rely on their position being protected or guaranteed ! Lots to await ,with interest and enthusiasm . COYB

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Portman_Pie added 12:18 - Apr 15 Gone a few weeks before he was going to walk away - when we don't get promoted - as per his statement about - if we don't get promoted this season we shouldn't be here. So off you toddle... new proper number 1 needed here next season, where's Richard Wright nowadays..? Is he still at Man City..? He'd be a decent keeper coach for us.
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cat added 12:22 - Apr 15 “I explained to him that I just want to look to freshen things up right across the board”. Music to my ears, and with a couple of old boys linked and involved it's simply getting even better.
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Cheshire_Blue added 12:30 - Apr 15 If Chambers and Skuse go who will the numpties turn on next season ? Clearly no lesson was learned on hounding out Leadbitter and McCarthy, both of who are now playing / managing at a higher level than us.
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Barty added 12:30 - Apr 15 The start of a much needed mass clear out but best wishes to him
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Europablue added 12:34 - Apr 15 Portman_Pie is he wrong that the players don't deserve to be here if they fail?
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Woodbridgian added 12:35 - Apr 15 As already said I'm sure the beginning of a long list of exits. On goalkeepers generally can't say I rate either of our current keepers
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Edmundo added 12:48 - Apr 15 That Twitter comment early in the season has really bitten on the butt. Truly hope we get some quality in the back room: McGreal would be a good appointment, and maybe another 2000 hero, Richard Wright, as gk coach?
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 12:54 - Apr 15 Get shot of Matt Gill as well...his coaching has had a great influence on our 1st team...a friggin huge negative one!
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Skip73 added 13:01 - Apr 15 Dozzell and Jackson next please
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masetheace added 13:09 - Apr 15 On what basis are folks saying that McGreal would be a good shout
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Nobbysnuts added 13:15 - Apr 15 Next out, skuse,sears,Jackson,Bishop,dozzell, Bennetts,ward,Harrop,drinan,Chambers,wolfenden,Matheson,Thomas Huws, Hawkins.....lovely jubbly....
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Nobbysnuts added 13:32 - Apr 15 Have I missed anyone?
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SuffolkPunch70 added 13:48 - Apr 15 @Cheshire_blue - if you truly believe that Chambers will be playing at a better level than us next season, then you really do need to take off those (very dark) blue tinted spectacles and take a proper look at what has been happening on the pitch these last 18 months. The man has lost his engine, his pace and his appetite for the fight - sadly without losing his influence on the rest of the team, who appear to have picked up on his lethargy and copied it. I have never bad mouthed any player on this, or any other, site, and I don't intend to start now.......BUT every player needs to assess and understand when their time is up (for me it was at the age of 49, but that was at a much lower level !), and I believe that the longer he tries to stick around, the more damage he will do to his reputation and standing at the club. McCarthy hounded himself out with his attitude towards the end, to a point where there was no turning back. In 5 years time, If the new owners get this club back to where it belongs, everyone will see that separation as the right thing to have done - historic perception is usually based on current situation. I would implore you, and every true Ipswich Town fan, to stop living in the past and get behind what is happening here and now - these are exciting times, new owners, new(ish) manager, and they need every ounce of our support to drag this once great club back from obscurity to rise again............like a Phoenix ?!?!

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SuffolkPunch70 added 13:53 - Apr 15 On the subject of John McGreal - loved him as a player here, but why do we need him when we already have one of the best central defenders who ever played for us in building ?? Surely we should be better utilising Terry Butcher's defensive skill and knowledge with the first team !!
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tempzzzz added 14:07 - Apr 15 @Nobbysnuts - You missed Judge! Also Thomas has already left, he returned to Barnsley last week I believe for personal reasons relating to his mental health.
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spanishblue added 14:18 - Apr 15 And if anybody believes he didn't know Evans was going, I must be on something strange I also believe he knows who's doing what and who the majority of his 18 will be next season, Lee O'N next bet the tea coffee maker is safe
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Countryboyblue added 14:29 - Apr 15 I wish Jimmy all the best, as its nice to show some sympathy when one loses their job. I do however feel this is just the start of a massive cull, which in fairness is needed. Again all the very best Jimmy.
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North_London_Blue added 14:45 - Apr 15 I think I can live with no Jimmy Walker. Let me know when the rubbish players have headed off
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runningout added 14:50 - Apr 15 Those suggesting employing ex players left right and centre should hold back a bit. Richard Wright has a position at Man City and we don't need to go sentimental
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cat added 15:01 - Apr 15 Cheshire - Better to vent your frustration at all things wrong with ITFC than spend all your time and energy slating fellow fans. Might be good if you changed your record cause your boring as feck! Lol
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reescurtis added 15:02 - Apr 15 TBH if you look at his career not exactly someone i would take inspiration from not alot of achievement there. Positive seeing Dyer have more involvement and Mgreal only chit chat atm but maybe since Magilton cook has actually seen that ex players that wore our badge with pride still have a place at PR. I know as well some hood coaches dont always have the best playing career before it gets mentioned.

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BlueBlood90 added 15:23 - Apr 15 Richard Wright would be a great acquisition in that role if he wanted it. I'd also be very happy if we brought John McGreal back too. It'd be nice to fill our coaching staff with people who genuinely care about the club. A real mass exodus is what's required in the summer. I personally hope we don't renew any of these players' contracts. They're simply not good enough and don't even seem to care. I can't wait for a fresh start and looking forward to next season already!

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