IPSWICH Town should have a new manager in place by the end of June - and there will be no player arrivals or departures before the new man arrives.That was the pledge to fans today from club chairman David Sheepshanks as he starts the process of looking for the best boss available for the club.

By Paul Geater

IPSWICH Town should have a new manager in place by the end of June - and there will be no player arrivals or departures before the new man arrives.

That was the pledge to fans today from club chairman David Sheepshanks as he starts the process of looking for the best boss available for the club.

No other clubs have been approached for permission to speak to their managers, but Mr Sheepshanks is confident that the Town hotseat will be attractive to many people in the game.

The new boss will not be under pressure to sell any of the club's “young guns” - but no new players will be recruited until the new man is in place.

Speaking from London where he is involved in FA meetings, Mr Sheepshanks said: “There was no question of speaking to any clubs before my meeting with Joe yesterday. The process has only just started.

“We don't need to advertise for applicants, but we have invited applications and I am sure we will get a good response.

“Ipswich is a large club in the Championship. There are many fans and I'm sure it will be attractive for many people.”

The club has 22 players under contract and no pressing issues to deal with - although Mr Sheepshanks was keen that a new man should be in place well before pre-season training is due to begin.

“The selection process starts today and we would certainly hope to have someone in place by the end of June,” he said.

“We shan't be recruiting any new players until the new manager is appointed. If anyone does want to join the club and contacts us we will invite them to come back when the new manager is in place.”

He did not see events of the last 24 hours as a watershed in his career as chairman.

“As directors it is our job to provide some continuity to the club. This is a club which has a good reputation as far as its management is concerned.

“We don't get through a large number of managers unlike some clubs - and the board of directors provides continuity whoever is the manager at the present time. I don't regard this situation as being a watershed in any respect.”

He did not want to get involved in any speculation about possible new managers - the names of Billy Davies, Phil Parkinson, Tony Mowbray and Alan Curbishley have all been mentioned.

“Whoever comes in will have a fine squad to deal with - in some respects we haven't seen the best of many of Joes recent signings like Sam Parking and Gavin Williams.

“Next season should be a very exciting time for Ipswich Town football club.”