Mick McCarthy

MICK’S THE MAN: Mick McCarthy officially named Ipswich Town manager

By Stuart Watson and Dave Gooderham
Thursday, November 1, 2012
10:42 AM

MICK McCarthy has spoken of his delight after he was officially confirmed the next manager of Ipswich Town.

The 53-year-old former Republic of Ireland, Sunderland and Wolves boss has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Portman Road and will be joined by Terry Connor.

McCarthy said: ”I’m obviously delighted to have been given the job as Ipswich Town manager and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“It’s a fantastic football club, with a proud tradition and history and a terrific fanbase. While the long-term ambition is to take the club back into the Premier League, it’s clear that the first priority is to get some confidence back into the team and start climbing the table.”

Town chief executive Simon Clegg added: “I am delighted to welcome Mick and Terry to Portman Road.

“We are under no illusions of the challenge ahead for this club given our position in the table but we feel we have the right manager to lead that challenge.

“Mick has a wealth of knowledge in the game and has shown that he knows how to compete successfully in the Championship in his time at both Sunderland and Wolves.

“While the first task is to guide the club away from our current position, we believe Mick has all the credentials and drive to eventually bring success back to Ipswich Town.”

The club have called a press conference for 5pm tonight.

* Join us for a special web-chat discussing the new Town boss at 1pm today on this website.

* We will also be running a live web-blog from the press conference from 5pm on this website.

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16 comments

Tom, I typed Merlin, so not sure what happen there! I didn't realise he said that at Wolves, so thanks for pointing that out. I agree Brisie, in my view it is not like Jewell, as MM did well at Wolves, with much greater expectation on him an he will have here, until the very end of his time there. He got them up, and kept them up for some time. I think we should indeed all get behind him, even if he was my third choice as manager, I still think he will do a good job, and represent the club with dignity. I am a little surprised why some supporters think he is a poor choice, as none of them have really explained that viewpoint. he doesn't have a Derby or Sheffield Wednesday skeleton in his cupboard, and whilst you can't please everyone, Wolves played better football than we have been seeing the last couple of years!! We must beat Burnley, and I would send Henderson back to West Ham, and tell Chopra and JET to do their talking on the pitch, and leave twitter alone. There, in my view, can be no better two examples of why we are where we are, than those two. Hyam for captain in my view, get him on a five year deal, and play him!!!!!!

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Kevin Bailey

Thursday, November 1, 2012
How can some of you be so negative.Give the man a chance.

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brisie58

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I can moan with the best of them, but come on everybody.. give the bloke a chance.

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Vanmunt

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I think in the position that Ipswich Town are in, it is a very good appointment. There are many other clubs in this division that would welcome him. I think he has the ability to deal with players that can't be bothered to try and hopefully get what is on paper quite a good squad, proving it on the field.

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Sick Parrot

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Mick will do for me.Who cares how many games we may win if we get to the Premier League? I'm happy to be in the Championship on a Saturday at 3pm. I'm sure MM will do a lot more than keep us up, which in itself is going to take a miracle. Good luck Mick.The next appointment we need to make is for Mr Clegg at the job centre as he has presided over a decline from 9th to bottom.

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M4warrior

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I belive it was Merlin the Magician and that the 16 players comment was made when at Wolves but the same principle applies to us now. I completely agree with you otherwise Kevin Bailey - Clegg out, McCarthy not the best candidate but still better than our last 2 or 3 managers. Jewell and Keane never got the players they asked Clegg for - so if he fails to deliver for Mick as well then sack him because he doesn't know what he's doing and if his plan is to NOT spend money, then bring in a manager who says he doesn't need to spend any more than he can make in sales. I just find it baffling what he's still doing here. Evans must be making some money from the club or else why would he continue to pay Clegg to mess things up? And surely any agreement they had about Clegg sorting him the ticket sales job for the olympics and having a job at Ipswich in return has more than run it's course? Clegg out - PLEASE!!!!

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Tom Conder

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Like it or not Mick McCarthy is the new manager. All true fans should now get behind him and the club and show their support.

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Blue Rico

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Good luck Mick.Its time to all get behind the team.

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Kingy

Thursday, November 1, 2012
The best of the three appointments under Evans, following the absolutely dreadful decision to give Jewell the job. Ironically, though, the third best choice of the three realistic possible candidates, with both Holloway and Robinson better in my view. Not withstanding that, I think Mick will be able to do a good job, and if it is true that he will get a million pounds for staying up, then surely Clegg, who has been CEO throughout the time that we have sunk to the bottom needs to go. Mick said he is not Martin the magician, and we only have 16 firs team players, 10 of whom are out of contract at the end of is season. This is just a completely scenario, and Clegg and Evans have been dealing with contracts, and need to realise that they have caused this difficulty, and as many of us have been saying, it is not possible to have cohesion with that degree of instability. It was not an issue under Keane, and I think in a different way to Keane MM is a strong character, and certainly not a yes man. I may be wrong, I have always felt that Jewell is a weak manager, who has directly made a big contribution to e mess we are in. A decent man, a woeful manger, and he is now the past. all supporters, whether they wanted MM or not, now need to unite and get behind him and the team. I will still be raising my motion of no confidence in Clegg at the AGM and will not be attending a match until Clegg goes.

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Kevin Bailey

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I was stunned from day 1 that we employed Jewell, McCarthy however is a good appointment. I really think this will ensure our safety this season and create a foundation for the next few years- Finally Clegg has a positive impact! As far as the standard of football, I believe those that suggest McCarthy only plays long ball hasn't actually seen his teams play and are just following the crowd, or basing this view on a few games they may have seen. Regardless, lets assume it was only longer balls, it will still be better than the tactic-vaccuum employed by Jewell. Fully support McCarthy, I would suggest we have hope for the first time in a few years- and the attendance will, I'd imagine, be enhanced on Saturday to illustrate this.

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I am Spartacus

Thursday, November 1, 2012
So Mick McCarthy rules the roost, And now we are quite certain, He may give the team a short term boost, but later we'll be hurtin...

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FRANK WESTON

Thursday, November 1, 2012
On the radio this morning, listening to the up beat local presenter talking about how excited we all are about the new manager and what proud history and traditions there are at the club.....same old tripe, every time there is a new manager everyone including the new manager talks about the clubs historic achievements. That is one of the issues, the past is the past, stop living there...the club is up a creek you need to look at the present, grab the players by the scruff of the neck and make them work for a win every game. Ipswich is not the club it once was stop making it out that it still is.

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equalibrium

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Is football the only industry where proven failure guarantees repeated employment? Does Evans have any financial nous? This is a disastrous appointment; not least because of the way it sticks two fingers up at the Ipswich tradition of attempting to play football. Bring your binoculars to Portman Road. The ball will be so high in the air, you'll need them. It looks like relegation is now a very real possibiity.

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Ken Hairy

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I'm not happy about the appointment but nothing we can do about it now. This is the 4th Manager of Simon Clegg's reign as Chief Executive - if this one doesn't work out, surely he HAS TO RESIGN??????

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Tom Conder

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Is this really an improvement? you decide ..... Paul J; no win in 12 at Ipswich, 5 points from 24 Premiership games at Derby Chris H; a total of 3 premiership wins at 2 different clubs, Both times sacked in less than 6 months. Failed at league 1 Walsall Mick M; Won one of last 13 games at Wolves, final game 1-5 to West Brom Terry C; 4 points from 13 premiership games and relegated

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Big Spot

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Forget the past, look to the future, that must be our motto from now on. Look forward with great enthusiasm to seeing how MM gets this half hearted bunch to play good football. Will look forward to going to Portman Road for the next home game, which I haven't done for quite a while.

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JOHN BURLS

Thursday, November 1, 2012