Wigan boss Leam Richardson says he’s “surprised, absolutely devastated and gutted” for sacked Blues boss Paul Cook, for whom he worked as assistant at Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan.

Cook was relieved of his duties at Portman Road following yesterday’s 0-0 FA Cup draw with Barrow.

“Surprised, absolutely devastated and gutted for him individually because nobody needs to tell Ipswich fans or anyone else in football the calibre of management on his cv,” Richardson said following his side’s 2-1 FA Cup win at Colchester today.

“For me he’s a Premier League/Championship manager so it’s surprising. People look to get out of the division (League One) and in that situation they probably look for Paul Cook and the likes of him.

“He’ll be fine — he’s very experienced, very robust, very thorough and very thoughtful. I’m sure he’ll already be looking for his next challenge, knowing him, and I wish him well.”

Prior to this weekend's events, Richardson and Cook were set to lock horns when the Blues travel to Wigan next Saturday.

The early betting on Cook's successor has made an erratic and fluctuating start with former Blues defender Frank Yallop a surprise favourite at 2-1, presumably due to his spell at Arizona United, now Phoenix Rising, where Town’s Three Lions are among the owners.

Former QPR midfielder Marc Bircham is second at 3-1, having recently left League of Ireland side Waterford, a showing which is also likely to be down to a spell as assistant coach at Arizona United in 2016.

Ex-Town defender, John McGreal, who rejoined the Blues on Thursday and is the likely caretaker-manager following Cook’s departure, is third-favourite at 6-1.

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton, who TWTD reported was interesting to new Town owners prior to the takeover, is also at 6-1.

Frank Lampard, who was interviewed for the Town job in the summer of 2018 before withdrawing from the race, is next at 8-1, followed by Neil Harris, who was interesting former owner Marcus Evans prior to Paul Lambert’s sacking, at 12-1.

Former Town academy midfielder and coach Liam Manning, currenty in charge at MK Dons, is also at 12-1 and, as reported yesterday, is admired by Town and could be among the leading contenders.

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson, who worked alongside Blues CEO Mark Ashton at Bristol City, is at 14-1 with ex-Chelsea skipper John Terry at 16-1.

Elsewhere, comedian and Cobbold Stand regular Omid Djalili has thrown his hat into the ring.

Photo: Pagepix

churchmans added 22:12 - Dec 5 The owners are here to make a return on there investment and to make that return it includes being established in the premier League! So i am very happy and excited about the future! They can do what they like and i am tottaly fine with that
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blues1 added 22:17 - Dec 5 Bigolconnor. What a load of tosh. Cook given pennies to spend on his coaching staff? Never heard such rubbish. Why are u assuming bcse bookies have made yallop favourite, based on a tenuous link with the owners that he's even in the frame. And why would Ashton want him? He doesn't even know him? Some fans just have to find something g to whinge about.
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Len_Brennan added 22:43 - Dec 5 @blues1 - Will you quit the constant labeling of those who have a different view to you, as whingers. You got this one totally wrong & spent months calling those of us, who had recognised the worrying signs around Cook early on, whingers & similar type names. This site is for opinons; you have demonstrated some pretty glaring shortfalls in your's over your take on Cook's responsibilities, performance & prospects in the job, but you are absolutely entitled to express it and debate with others, without being called names or being reduced to a noun of disapproval. Engage in a real discussion, with facts & considered points of view rather than assuming negative intentions. Who do you want to be the next full time Ipswich manager?

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d77sgw added 09:12 - Dec 6 So difficult to know where to go with this. We've tried the 'up and coming young manager' with Paul Hurst (total disaster). We've tried the experienced manager with track record of success (last two Pauls). We've tried the 'big name' with Keane (the biggest disaster). The only manager who achieved any success was McCarthy - and that came at the expense of entertainment (lets not go over that one again please...). For me the experience of the last two Pauls is that its not enough to get the 'manager' if they are part of an established double-act. Of the list in front of us I think Liam Manning could be a good shout if given time (no pressure this season now) and crucially if he gets to being David Wright et al with him. The idea of bringing over an American coach (despite the pleasure that Yallop once brought - those goals v Man Utd and Spurs in the space of a week nearly 30 years ago will live with me forever!) fills me with horror....

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bobble added 09:29 - Dec 6 tony popovic , a proven manager who has won big stuff ,otherwise mr burley,,
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broseleyblue added 09:33 - Dec 6 Just cannot believe the support for Frank Yallop despite liking him as a player. What relevant experience has he of lower league English football? What does he know about players to strengthen our team?Cook knew all that and was able to pick and choose but he couldn't make them tick. The bookies' list fills me with apprehension.
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broseleyblue added 09:33 - Dec 6 Just cannot believe the support for Frank Yallop despite liking him as a player. What relevant experience has he of lower league English football? What does he know about players to strengthen our team?Cook knew all that and was able to pick and choose but he couldn't make them tick. The bookies' list fills me with apprehension.
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broseleyblue added 09:33 - Dec 6 Just cannot believe the support for Frank Yallop despite liking him as a player. What relevant experience has he of lower league English football? What does he know about players to strengthen our team?Cook knew all that and was able to pick and choose but he couldn't make them tick. The bookies' list fills me with apprehension.
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broseleyblue added 09:35 - Dec 6 Apologies for posting 3 times. shows how concerned I am.
2

Marcus added 10:18 - Dec 6 Thanks Omid... Lampard and Terry working together --- what could possibly go wrong?
1

Jugsy added 10:24 - Dec 6 Really don't understand the idea of sacking a manager without having some thought who'd you would line-up to replace him. I suspect i'm wrong and Ashton already has a preference list ready to go, ala the backup player list he had in the transfer window. I liked Cook, wanted him to do well but he was struggling. I played football against a Bristol City fan yesterday who said Ashton was like a scatter gun there, whilst we weren't necessarily expecting it I don't think too many are surprised when you look at the investment and results. I just didn't believe he had enough time, given his track record.

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Kingfisher49 added 10:49 - Dec 6 Three names to throw in the ring. Neil Lennon, Tim Sherwood and Garry Monk. All three as good as any names I have seen mentioned so far. Played to a good level, managed at a good level and all have a winning desire to do well. But we will have to wait and see.
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yorkieblue62 added 11:13 - Dec 6 Agree with most people, names mentioned so far mostly frighteningly bad or little experience. Warnock too old. I live near Boro & he left because he has a home in Cornwall & no longer has the hunger. Pulis takes you back to Mcarthy. Appleton a jouneyman manager who has taken Lincoln to the fringe of the relegation zone.... zzz I could go on. As for Burley I still blame him for ITFCs current predicament after the 2001/02 season. Lampard only one worth a look & he will not come. I think it is worth trying a young progressive coach but whoever comes the fans will not have patience.

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littlestoneblue added 11:37 - Dec 6 It's now been proved that Cook cant manage without Liam Richarson, he was all talk and not a clue on important tactical game changes. Now down to the nitty-gritty subject of our next manager, If we want promotion out of this league its got to be someone like Neil Warnock love him or loath him he's got the credentials on his CV for getting the best out of his squads and gets clubs promoted, which is what we all want yes. John McGreal will do a fine interim assistant managers job as he had done a good job at Colchester over 12 years, why oh why did Colchester get rid of him when in 5th place beggars belief, they've done nothing since he left, I cant see Frank Yallop making a success over here, how many American Managers have made it a success in our leagues??? forget Frank Lampard and John Terry they've both got management ideas well above their stations as Frank proved at Chelsea, he done ok at Derby BUT nothing since. So if we want out of this div one league bring in Warnock and lets get the ball rolling in the right direction for once.

1

yorkieblue62 added 11:49 - Dec 6 Whats the opinion on Dyer?
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:04 - Dec 6 i would have gone along with Warnock .....two or three years ago, even though i didnt like him in his early days, but he was talking retirement recently, so that is hardly motivational . I REALLY hope this is not an excersise to get someone [Yallop] from the set up in the states entrenched here. We want a real deal manager this time if we are going to get anywhere. I i suppose you can say ''NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE'' ,but that bookies list is far from encouraging .PLEASE MR ASHTON , DONT F##K THIS UP .

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dirtydingusmagee added 12:05 - Dec 6 Richardson wouldnt say otherwise would he ?
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bigolconnor added 15:05 - Dec 6 Blues1. My Yallop link was from a close relative of his and I wasn't whinging about anything. I just don't like Ashton which is fair enough surely. The pennies on coaches thing was based on the fact that Cook got in Jeffers and that former player whose name I've forgotten. I'm pretty happy really. Just another exciting day in the life of a town fan.
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MagicMoe added 21:21 - Dec 6 Wonder if Shefki is still interested!
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