New boss Paul Jewell said the chance to manage Town was too good an opportunity turn down after signing on at Portman Road until 2013. The new Blues manager says the opportunity with Town ticked all the boxes.

Jewell said: “It’s great being back in the managerial hotseat. I’ve been out of work for two years but you’re never out of football, you’re either working in the media or travelling watching to Spain or Italy and watching other teams and trying to improve your knowledge for when you do get back into the game.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to come back in, but this one ticked all the boxes and I’m really excited and looking forward to getting going.”

The 46-year-old says he was attracted by Town’s lack of short-term thinking: “We’ve got a lot of hard work to do, we’re involved in a bit of a battle at the moment and confidence is at a low ebb.

"Every league game’s going to be a cup final and hopefully we can build for the future, get the confidence back with the players and get smiles back on faces. Everyone will start with a clean slate.

“Hopefully, we can consolidate and who knows that’s going to happen this season. One of the reasons this appealed to me is that it’s not a quick fix, it’s long-term objective, trying to build the club ultimately to the Premier League.”

Jewell, who is yet to finalise his backroom staff with his usual right-hand man Chris Hutchings having been sacked by Walsall last week and West Ham coach Wally Downes linked on Saturday, says he is yet to meet his players: “The deal was only signed last night after dinner, incidentally I paid the bill, which I think was what swung it!

“It’s been a whirlwind, I got the phone call on Thursday evening from the owner, I met him in Ireland on Friday and I had more meetings with Simon Clegg on Friday and Saturday. It’s gone really, really quick.”

With that mind, Jewell says he won’t be picking the team for Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final at home to Arsenal: “I think it would be in the best interests of the team to let the two lads who are running it at the moment, Tony and Charlie, who are fine professionals, run the game on Wednesday because they know the players better than I do. And come Thursday morning, we’ll be taking over. “I’ve got a lot of DVDs of the team to watch this afternoon and tomorrow. The less distraction the players have the better, they can just get on with the job of playing on Wednesday.

“I don’t want them to feel as if people are looking over their shoulders, so I’ll watch the game from the stand and start work on Thursday morning.”

Jewell outlined what he wants from his players, having spent the last couple of years assessing where he got things right and wrong at his previous clubs: “I want people to give everything they’ve got every day and while out of the game for two years I’ve studied myself and where I’ve made mistakes, trying to improve as a manager and as a coach.

“Hopefully, the good experiences and the bad experiences I’ve had in football will help me become a better manager. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’ve had some ups and I’ve had some downs and I’m really looking forward to taking this battle on.

“As a manager, I want my players to enjoy training, to enjoy playing and if we’re doing that we’ll be doing OK.”

The ex-Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday, Wigan and Derby boss has been promised money to spend by chief executive Simon Clegg, but doesn't appear to be in a too much of a hurry to spend it: “Sometimes if you’re busy in the transfer market in January, you can be desperate buyers. I think it’s important that we take our time and obviously the loan market is there to be exploited.

“I’m not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes here and say I don’t know how much I’ve got to spend, but if there’s somebody out there that I think can improve our team, then I will do it.”

A product of Liverpool’s famous youth system, the former striker says his aim as Town boss is clear — to get them back in the Premier League: “That’s the goal, that’s what we’re hoping for. There are a lot of things in place here can give us an opportunity to do that.

“But looking at the division, there are an awful lot of big clubs in the Championship with the same expectations as Ipswich.

“It’s a very tough league to get out of, but I think we’ve got a lot of good players here, we just need to try and get them to believe in themselves, that’s the first objective.

"If we can do that, hopefully in two-and-a-half years’ time we’ll be talking about moving out of this league.”

Photo: Action Images

RedDust added 16:39 - Jan 10 I just saw the interview on sky with jewell and i think the most important thing i saw was not the answers he gave but when a question changed from one journalist to the other (i think it was a Tom from EADT) jewell responded in saying hi and then said his name and then gave a smile which for me says alot more about this man than most of the answers he can give in a press conference! i felt a little humbled.

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prozach added 16:40 - Jan 10 Katemoss - Like Martin O'Neil?? He had been in management non stop for almost 10 years, maybe he fancied a break. We are Ipswich, not Man U, we can't just get who ever we want. Good Luck Paul!
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Bobby_Petta added 16:41 - Jan 10 chripswich, give the bloke a chance, talk being negative, if that's the kind of supporter you are, then it's a good thing you're not renewing your season ticket. What chance has any manager got with that kind of attitude? We should all get behind him; his got a hell of a job on his hands, thanks to Keane. He can't be any worse than Keane, his Wigan team play good attacking football. I think it's a good appointment.

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elmswellblue added 16:41 - Jan 10 We can now see the true fans on this board, what utter rubbish that has been put on here today. Get behind Paul Jewell and support the team, at least he is genuine. Like others on here I am looking forward to watching my next league game, which is something I have not done in the past few months. At least the missus is pleased to see me with a smile on my face.......

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itfchorry added 16:43 - Jan 10 Very proud to be a Town fan at Chelsea yesterday - Let's put these last 20 miserable months behind us and wish Paul Jewell all the very best in turning things round.
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camposlocks added 16:44 - Jan 10 i think the budgies are worried as i've had no texts today!! not my first choice but who needs Morinho, we've got Paul Jewllio
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Wickets added 16:53 - Jan 10 Gilesy if not there in bed together!!
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Wickets added 16:54 - Jan 10 opps for there read their
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Wickets added 16:55 - Jan 10 Blue chick XXX
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FarringdonBlue added 17:01 - Jan 10 Wickets - it's they're ;-) I personally think he'll do a good job. He's a nice guy and will get respect from the players as he seems to want to give them respect too. Good luck Jewelio!!!
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devontractorboy added 17:07 - Jan 10 Am looking forward to Paul Jewellio's reign, go for it Paul & don't blame you for starting Thursday, who'd want Arsenal as your first game..?????
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heavenlyblue added 17:09 - Jan 10 I was disappointed that Keane obviously couldn't do it for us, and he clearly had to go in the end. Paul Jewell isn't my first choice, but I'm going to get behind him and continue supporting the Town with gusto! He seems to be talking sense - wish he was going to be in the dressing room against Arsenal though, to spur on the players as I think he's had success against Arsenal in a cup game previously and could have used that (or have I got that wrong?). Anyway, here's to a better 2011 than last year!

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RexCarr added 17:10 - Jan 10 Not my first choice but now he's here lets ALL get behind the man and support OUR club !
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warwickblue added 17:10 - Jan 10 I love the fact that he's starting work on Thursday morning...anybody else thinking what I'm thinking? All things considered, I welcome the appointment. Good luck Mr Jewell!
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tortoise added 17:11 - Jan 10 Well, i'm quite happy with this appointment. He is still quite young but he has got experience, which i think we need right now. Not the time for another relarively inexperienced manager in my opinion. He said all the right things, which you would expect, but i do agree that he said them in quite a likeable way. Evans and Cleggs thought processes over the appoinment seem quite rational to me as well. More importantly, i'm playing golf with Bryan Gunn in a few weeks..... was just wondering at what hole i should start sledging and mention the 'bobble'!!!?.... and the 1-7 to Col U come to that?

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Strikes added 17:15 - Jan 10 Not my first choice - but then again, that's Jose Mourinho. And I suspect he would have cost us too much. Jewell has a proven track record of getting sides promoted from this division, his comments are measured and realistic, and he appears to have a sense of humour in stark contrast to the Darth Vader-esque numpty who's just left the building. Without wishing to jump on any bandwagons here, may I add my voice to the general chorus of approval?

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_Mhs_ added 17:17 - Jan 10 tortoise i agree, he's relatively young so is still a good man manager but has vital experience backing him. He wont make rash decisions that cost keane his job ultimately (spending millions on martin and priskin). He's a down to earth guy with realistic aspirations, he knows we need to be patient and we wont become a premiership team over night. Hopefully under him we'll develop into a team maybe next season or the following season that pushes for promotion. COYB.

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hulltractor added 17:23 - Jan 10 Was not my first choice but ME was never going to ask my opinion !!. So he's here and hopefully everyone will give him the backing he needs. COYB !!
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slatz73 added 17:29 - Jan 10 He actually cost us automatic promotion twice with Bradford and Wigan beating us to second spot, Jewell out!!! In all seriousness the best PJ!!!
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jas0999 added 17:39 - Jan 10 Welcome to the club and best of luck Paul. I will continue to support the team whoever is in charge. However, I also think everyone is entitled to their opinion. A regular poster h32 rightly taught me that having an opinion is not moaning. As such I have to say in my opinion, this is a very poor appointment.I hope Paul proves me wrong and I'll back him as a Town fan. Only 7% of voters on the EADT picked Paul as their choice. Also very concerned about the comments re loan players. Thought the point of bringing a new manager in now was to take advantage of the TRANSFER window - we can make loan signings after that. Anyway, as I say hope it works out and will continue to support!

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radiogaga added 17:41 - Jan 10 Excellent appointment. Not spectacular, but excellent none the less. Look what a spectacular appointment did to us last time round! This guy is a very decent manager, a very sensible manager in the transfer market and has a very good attention to detail, he sees what is going on, he understands players and once again, we have a very straight talking manager, which is a good thing. All the best at P.R. Mr Jewell!

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MarkITFC added 17:43 - Jan 10 Good news tbh , hes a proper manager , been in the game for years which means hes exprienced . would be great to see a couple of new faces here maybe 4 ? then get out of the relegation battle and ready for next season , i think we have to be relistic . His interview was very Honest unlike keane .. Looking forward to the future under Jewell .. COYB - Big fat jewells barmy army

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Mark added 17:46 - Jan 10 A good appointment, welcome to Portman Road Paul!
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radiogaga added 17:47 - Jan 10 Btw- Jas0999, you talk about having an opinion, though you don't really read as though you have much of an opinion of your own, based on the amount that you refer back to what the voters on the EADT website thought about Jewell. No doubt another supporter who will be moaning and booing at the games and posting useless comments on here once the papers and websites start saying bad words about a manager, I've seen plenty of them in the last 2 or 3 years.

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I_AM_GOD added 17:48 - Jan 10 Here's a thought to those complaining about him not taking control Wednesday - we lose 2-0. He then takes control and gets two league games under his belt and we go back to Emirates and get a win to go through with Jewell as the hero. Perfect plan.
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