IPSWICH Town coach Steve Foley has ruled out a return to Colchester United.Reports have suggested that Foley is on the short list to replace Mick Harford as Geraint Williams assistant at the Essex-based Coca-Cola Championship club.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Town coach Steve Foley has ruled out a return to Colchester United.

Reports have suggested that Foley is on the short list to replace Mick Harford as Geraint Williams assistant at the Essex-based Coca-Cola Championship club.

Foley spent most of his playing career at Colchester and was then a coach at Layer Road before moving to Norwich City.

After a successful spell at Carrow Road - helping the Canaries reach the Premiership under the management of Nigel Worthington - Foley joined the staff at Portman Road last summer.

He is technical skills coach under manager Jim Magilton and first team coach Bryan Klug and lives at Manningtree.

“I have heard the stories and the rumours, but I have heard nothing from Colchester themselves,” said Foley today.

“And to be honest I don't want to hear from them.

“I am happy where I am at Portman Road and have a task in hand at Ipswich to help lift the club back into the top flight.

“Geraint Williams is doing a wonderful job at Layer Road and although I know him he was not at Colchester when I was there.”

Harford, believed to have a big influence at Layer Road last season, has moved on to QPR.

The former England striker Teddy Sheringham has been linked with replacing Harford, with Foley also mentioned as one of the U's targets.

Foley, who has spent two weeks studying coaching methods at Spanish giants Valencia during the summer break, settled in quickly at Portman Road after losing his job at Norwich.

“We have tremendous potential at Ipswich Town, and I am looking to be an essential part of the push back up the football ladder,” added Foley.