Town have announced that manager Paul Cook has been relieved of his duties following this afternoon’s 0-0 FA Cup draw with Barrow at Portman Road.

Blues CEO Mark Ashton told the club site: "Firstly, we would like to thank Paul and his team for their efforts in what has been a difficult transition period for everyone.

“I know how much Paul wanted to succeed at this club. However, following discussions with the board, we have decided a change is needed for our long-term interests.

“At this moment, there is no one lined up to replace Paul. There will be an extensive search to find the best replacement for the club. I will communicate more to the media and our supporters on Monday.”

It seems likely that former Colchester manager John McGreal, who joined the Blues as an U23s coach on Thursday, an appointment we understand wasn't made by Cook, will be put in caretaker charge.

Cook, 54, joined the club in March having been appointed by former owner Marcus Evans following Paul Lambert's sacking with the Blues dropping out of the play-off zone during his couple of months in charge.

The summer saw a major overhaul of the playing staff with 19 senior additions coming in along with new backroom staff - first team coach Franny Jeffers, goalkeeper-coach John Keeley and coach Ian Craney joining another first-team coach Gary Roberts - and around 30 players departing.

Despite the Blues having one of the largest budgets in League One, they made a slow start to the season and they have remained inconsistent and currently sit in 11th in the division.

Cook's record in his 44 games with Town reads a disappointing won 13, drawn 17 and lost 14.

The Blues new ownership backed Cook's appointment by Evans but, as reported by TWTD at the time, the man they eyed for the job was Lincoln City boss Michael Appleton, who worked for Ashton and chairman Mike O'Leary at Oxford having previously had links with the pair at West Brom.

Town are likely to look for a head coach rather than an old-style manager and other candidates we understand will come into the reckoning are MK Dons boss Liam Manning - who started his coaching career with the Blues having been an academy player - and Plymouth's Ryan Lowe.

Photo: TWTD

Help added 19:33 - Dec 4 OMG, had to come results not good enough. McGreal bounce required
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CookAshtonJohnson added 19:34 - Dec 4 Sad to see it not work out for Cook, but it was the right decision, given the big games we have coming up and a January transfer window. Interesting to see now who will come in, McGreal as an interim? Ambitious move and go for Lampard after 2 interviews under ME? A very big decision to decide our future, let's hope the owners can make sure we get in the best man for the job. Interesting times ahead. COYB 💙

4

Razor added 19:34 - Dec 4 Nice people dont always win but it is the right decision at the right time. Mcgreal was perhaps a clever tactical move as interim though will Colin be in with a shout?i
2

cat added 19:35 - Dec 4 Disappointed but can't say I'm surprised. Good luck P.C your energy and passion were infectious but results not so
15

mikehaynes added 19:35 - Dec 4 Yes. This had to happen and well done to owners for moving so fast. We need a young dynamic manager to work with John Mcgreal. Shame for Paul but he hasn't delivered. As has been said no more Pauls please
11

Cookiscooking added 19:36 - Dec 4 Think I better change my name, had faith in the guy but he definitely burnt the dinner.
5

MickMillsTash added 19:36 - Dec 4 Good The Rotherham manager has impressed - even though he is call Paul and was born in Norwich
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brassy added 19:37 - Dec 4 We must aim higher at least champioshilp experience or even an out of work premier boss CO Y Bs
1

SitfcB added 19:37 - Dec 4 Horrible decision.
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Monkey_Blue added 19:37 - Dec 4 VanDusen Football has changed but it also true this is the first time in the clubs history that we've been the financial power in the league we are in. Name any of the managers who got time that had the relatively huge support Cook had? Even Keane who wasted very good money didn't have the biggest budget in the championship… teams more recently down from the premiership would have had far more.

5

churchmans added 19:37 - Dec 4 YES!! finally a board with a set balls coyb
15

HALLSJ added 19:38 - Dec 4 Had to happen Seriously Barrow and Oldham Home games both draws pathetic. Interested to see I we go for another Paul !!!!
0

Monkey_Blue added 19:38 - Dec 4 Big Micks available. 😉
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Orraman added 19:38 - Dec 4 So good to see that Mark Ashton & Co have acted now while we still have a realistic chance of reaching play-offs. It was obvious that we were heading nowhere under Cook and if he stayed any longer it would have started eroding all the good work done recently at the club as well as diminishing match day attendances. It will also to be good not to listen to his whiny voice any more spouting total rubbish and contradictions. Possibly the appointment of John McGreal as back up to Kieron Dyer was just a smokescreen as Cook's future was sealed after Wednesday night and we at least have an experienced manager to steady the ship until a permanent manager is appointed. As Cornishmick stated above “ No more Pauls please”

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dml12345 added 19:38 - Dec 4 Not a moment too soon. Had 2 different squads and failed with both. People need To stop confusing being a decent bloke with being a decent manager.
21

buzbyblue added 19:39 - Dec 4 I would like to see us go for a foreign manager, the dross that are currently out of work here in the UK really makes me shudder
6

Woodbridgian added 19:40 - Dec 4 Right decision full stop
8

LimerickTractorBoy added 19:41 - Dec 4 Had to be done. We were drifting towards the rocks. Good luck in the future PC. COME ON IPSWICH.💙💙💙
15

Tractorboy1985 added 19:41 - Dec 4 How can people say they are shocked? Disappointed? The man has been a total failure! He inherited a group who were on the brink of the playoffs.. failed there.. stripped them.. got his new players in and we sit 7 points off the playoffs with games in hand against us?? The time was right.. have 5-6 games to assess what the new man can work with.. go again slightly in the January transfer window.. see where that takes us.. if we don't get playoffs he has a summer and we go again! And why so many down votes for Frank Lampard? Done a decent job at Derby.. a league above.. we are league 1! Some will expect Pep or Klopp because they are deluded but let's just hope the new man plays 2 strikers! COYB

17

Henrietta_R_Hippo added 19:42 - Dec 4 Way over-due Mr. Ashton .... but obviously better later than never, as the saying goes! So to whomever (probable one or more of the Gringos) in the the brass REALLY showed some cojones tonight... Thank you very very much for the personal best football related Christmas present in eons! Alas... "The Pesky DRAMA QUEENS" 1 vs. "The Perennial Ambitionless & Vision Impaired HAPPY CLAPPERS" 0 :-) :-)

3

IpswichToon added 19:43 - Dec 4 There can't be many Paul managers left to try, right? It hasn't gone too well, so maybe we should open up to trying a manager with any first name. Just a thought....
1

gosblue added 19:43 - Dec 4 Nuno is on the dole atm. Seriously McGreal/Butcher to sort out the defence.
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casanovacrow added 19:43 - Dec 4 I'm one of the few who would've gave him more time by the looks.
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Bergholtblue added 19:43 - Dec 4 Van Dusen... Yes half of the players did come specifically to play for Cook but they have let him down. Either they are not as good when he first had them or something with whole set up is wrong. I just hope the new manager can sort it out and get the best out of them
6

GleggsJag added 19:43 - Dec 4 Take the arrogant Gary Roberts with you,. Peter Reid and the other jobs for the boys brigade.
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