Former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane has been given the axe from Ipswich. Keane joined the club as manager in April last year and was sacked after completing 20 months of service.
Ipswich have not been able to avoid defeat in 7 of their last 9 games, and the last defeat of 1-0 against Nottingham Forest was probably the final nail in the coffin for Keane. Ipswich now lie on the 19th spot on the table and are lurking in the
relegation zone.
Ian McParland, the coach of their first team, would be the interim manager for the club, and would lead the side against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in the FA cup match over the weekend.
Roy Keane issued a statement through the League Managers Association expressing that he was really disappointed on being dismissed. He added that he had big plans for the club but somehow he just could not put them in place on time. Keane went on to say
that when things do not go your way, there is nothing that can be done. Despite parting ways, Keane wished the club best of luck and said that he knows that the players they have in the squad are very talented. He added that they would be able to turn it around
before the season ends and was confident that they would not be relegated.
Marcus Evans, the owner of Ipswich, spent 8 million pounds over the summers and thus expectations were quite high for the current season. But recent results did not go as planned, and Keane had to pay the price.
Even though things did not go perfectly in the League, Keane did manage to get the team into the semi finals of the Carling Cup; Ipswich will play Arsenal this month.
The first of the two legs will take place on the 12th of January, at Portman Road. Keane said that his team was preparing well to take on two of the biggest teams in English football in next week- first Chelsea, then Arsenal. The former Manchester
United midfielder said that he would have liked if the management had waited till those two matches were played.
Roy Keane went on to say that getting to the semi final of the Carlin Cup does prove that there is enough talent in the team, and if he was given some more time he would have been able to get results with them.
Keane said: "I was also working hard to build the squad during the transfer window, looking at our options to attract new players to the club... I have loved my time at Ipswich... and have massive respect for the club, its staff, the fans and the community,
and I wish them well."
Ipswich owner, Evans said that he would like to tell everyone that the club is in debt of Roy Keane for his commitment and dedication towards the club. He added that he does not personally have any problems with Keane, but sometimes it is just not meant
to be and he would like to take the club in a different direction. Evans went on to say that the time Keane spent with the team was valuable and enjoyable for everyone and he has definitely helped the team grow in confidence over the past 20 months.
Roy Keane started his managerial career at Sunderland and took them to the Premier League, before joining Ipswich Town. Keane said that he wanted to manage a team in the Championship and would not like to jump to the Premier League too soon, as he thinks
that he needs some more time to manage in the top division again.
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