ROY Keane is set to be unveiled as the next manager of Ipswich Town.

Derek Davis

ROY Keane is set to be unveiled as the new manager of Ipswich Town on Thursday.

The former Manchester United star took Sunderland to the Premier League but stood down at the end of last year.

Although Ipswich Town refused to discuss the successor to Jim Magilton, who was sacked earlier today, new chief executive Simon Clegg outlined the profile of the man they want at the helm.

He said: “Our number one goal is to take this club into the Premiership and the manager plays the critical role in that process so we are looking for someone who can take on that responsibility and deliver the success the club, the fan and players aspire to.

“We are looking for someone with a proven track record. Someone who has achieved some success and taken a club in the direction we aspire to go to.

“But let us be clear we want a winner as you do too.”

Keane took over at the Stadium of Light in August, 2006, when they were 23rd in the table but got them promoted as champions in his first season.

He kept them in the Premier League for one season but in December 2008 he stood down as the Sunderland manager claiming a difference of opinion with new shareholder Ellis Short and a strained relationship with chairman Niall Quinn.