Town boss Paul Cook says John McGreal is a really good appointment, the former Blues centre-half having joined the club as a coach working with the U23s yesterday.

McGreal was with the Blues between 1999 and 2004 and was a member of the team which won promotion to the Premier League at Wembley in 2000 and finished fifth in the top flight the following season, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

The 49-year-old and Cook are friends from their days at Tranmere together and McGreal has been spotted at games and around the training ground on a number of occasions in recent months, leading to speculation that he might join the club as assistant manager in the summer, although no offer was ever made to the Liverpudlian.

McGreal had been keen to take on a manager’s job of his own and joined Swindon as in the summer but left after only a month. Previously he spent four years as boss of Colchester.

Cook says his old Prenton Park team-mate has a lot to offer: “Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. I think it’s always good when clubs have former employees in the ranks. I think especially from possibly successful times and that feel-good factor.

“John’s lived in the community now for a long time, he’s a good guy, he’s been managing, he’s been coaching, he’s got good experience and he loves Ipswich Town Football Club.

“Very similar to Kieron Dyer, these type of lads love the club and that can only be good for the club, for the young lads, the players we bring in and the club going forward. I think it’s a really good, strong appointment that we’re delighted with.”

Asked whether McGreal will have any involvement with the first team in addition to his duties assisting Dyer with the U23s, he said: “I think at the minute one of the things we want to do, especially come in, let them get settled. Let people get settled in.

“We all understand now supporters will look at different situations, ie a defensive coach, a forward coach, a this coach, a that coach.

“John’s in the building now, let him get settled, let’s see where it goes,. The club’s a growing club, we really want energy in the building, so John’s a really good appointment.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Barty added 10:23 - Dec 3 Just want to see a new manager appointed now
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Dissboyitfc added 10:26 - Dec 3 Why did they let Butcher go? McGreal should be helping the frailties in the first team defence IMO!
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churchmans added 10:30 - Dec 3 I hear cook as 3 games left to impress!
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itfc58 added 10:31 - Dec 3 I agree he is a good appointment, its a shame the same cant be said for you!!
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churchmans added 10:31 - Dec 3 Dissboyitfc They did not let cook go he is an ambassador for the club! Meeting supporters at corporate level etc
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Razor added 10:32 - Dec 3 Jobs for the boys
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KenHancocksBoot added 10:37 - Dec 3 Defensive coach? Has he been reading the comments here?
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Marinersnose added 10:53 - Dec 3 Dissboyitfc simple. Butcher doesn't speak scouse.
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Suffolkboy added 11:33 - Dec 3 McG a proper defender with intuitive sense and nous ; his personal attention to detail and discipline was always invaluable in his playing days – let's hope he can ,and is allowed, to pass on his experience at the highest level whilst he's here with us again ! A very big welcome JM . COYB
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BtreeBlueBlood added 11:55 - Dec 3 Just waiting for Mogga now!
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adamisablue2 added 13:49 - Dec 3 itfc58 Paul Cook is still the right man to take us forward for the foreseeable at least. He is an excellent manager. What he is not though, is an excellent coach. From what I can see (albeit im only seeing the results on Saturdays and Tuesdays) Our current crop of players are superb with the ball but haven't got a clue about what to do without it. This leads to individual errors because the players team mates are not presenting for the ball thus leading to hesitation and errors, wide players presenting inside for the ball and bringing a marking defender with him and at times it seems like we are trying to attack the opponents goal before we have even won the ball back, hence not being able to hold on to a two goal lead. That's not to mention some truly bizarre subs (either too late or just plain wrong) and sticking rigidly to a system that's quickly becoming out of date for this league and wastes the truly devastating attack force we have. On paper we have 4 of the best strikers in the league but only ever play one without any form a rotation. Thing is, if he had a decent coaching staff and a decent number two, someone who can read the game and plan for the weeks ahead, we would actually be unstoppable and wouldn't look out of place in the top half of the championship. But one of the Things that comes with age and (vast) experience is an utter arrogance to change and admit that things are not quite what they should be. I just hope that John McGreal will be a step in that direction when Kieron Dyer is fit enough to resume his duties

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Essexipswichboy added 14:25 - Dec 3 Interesting that JM was hanging about here at the start of the season but was overlooked
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pennblue added 15:19 - Dec 3 strengthening the coaching team can only be a good thing, we need an open collaborative set of people working together getting the best ideas out of them. We got some good experienced heads in there now with Reid and McGreal joining.
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ButchersBrokenNose added 16:05 - Dec 3 Same dross from Mr. Cook, different day. I'm sorry, but I have truly had enough of the incessant, scouse twaddle coming out of his mouth day-in, day-out. It's like he's trying to sell us a second-hand car every week. Unfortunately, nothing changes: we're going nowhere under him, and no-one seems to care. Very depressing times at PR.
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Dissboyitfc added 16:37 - Dec 3 Churchmans, no they havent let Cook go, last time i looked he was still here. I assume you meant Butcher. My question remains the same, they removed him from helping the under 23's, why?
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TractorBeezer added 17:34 - Dec 3 McGreal has credibility and could be a very useful addition. Is this in iFollow tomorrow or is it just audio commentary?
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grinch added 19:58 - Dec 3 possible cook replacement set up by Ashton
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Help added 20:17 - Dec 4 yes he is he is replacing you and your shower of sh!! backroom staff.
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