Caretaker-manager Ian McParland says he has spoken to new boss Paul Jewell but is yet to discover whether he has a future at Town. The 49-year-old expects to leave Portman Road when Jewell formally takes over on Thursday and hopes to get a management job of his own.

McParland says he can fully understand that the new man will want to bring in his own staff: “I’ve been in the football world a long time, I’ve known Paul Jewell over the years, I played against him years ago.

“As long as I’m treated in the right manner, which he will do, and they sort everything out that should be sorted out, then that’s fine. I’ll have no hard feelings towards Paul Jewell.

“If I go back into a club as a manager, I’ll probably bring my own people in as well. It’s nothing personal.”

McParland, who will take charge of Town for tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal, says Jewell hasn’t as yet told him of his plans: “I spoke to him on the phone on Monday but there was no indication that he was bringing people in [as soon as Thursday].

“There was an indication that he would be bringing people in, but I don’t know who. We’ll see what happens after the game. I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

If he is offered the chance to stay, the former Notts County boss wouldn’t rule it out, although he wants to be in charge of a club himself: “I’d consider everything, but I’d like to be a manager again. We’ll see what happens.”

Jewell's regular assistant Chris Hutchings is available having been sacked as Walsall boss earlier this month, while newspaper reports over the weekend linked West Ham coach Wally Downes.

McParland says he is looking forward to tonight’s game and his advice to his players is to make sure they do the same and to give their best: “I’ll enjoy the occasion and the main thing is that the boys enjoy the occasion and give a good account of themselves.”

Meanwhile, a number of tabloid reports claim Gary Megson turned down the chance to manage the Blues having been flown to Ireland to meet with Marcus Evans last Tuesday.

Megson was reportedly offered an annual salary of up to £500,000 and a two and a half year deal. However, the proposed deal fell through as the former Canary wanted to bring in a backroom staff of five coaches and scouts.

Elsewhere, reported Town target Mikele Leigertwood has agreed to extend his loan at Reading from QPR until the end of the season.

Photo: Action Images

BLUEBEAT added 08:51 - Jan 12 "I spoke to him on the phone on Monday but there was no indication that he was bringing people in [on Thursday]. There was an indication that he was bringing people in, but I don't know who." eh?
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:55 - Jan 12 beat the gooners 7-0 tonight and you can be PJ s burger runner. !
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muhrensleftfoot added 08:57 - Jan 12 I do hope that's just paper talk about Megson. If true, it would certainly make me worry about the long term future of our club in the hands of Evans & Clegg. Possibly a lucky escape, but more likely just tabloid rubbish
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brittaniaman added 09:04 - Jan 12 I hear that Ian mcloughlin was playing tennis at a gym with Keano, surely he should be here planning the downfall of Arsenal instead, unless he was getting advice from Keano, after all they were at the Emirates together the other night !!!!!
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bluelady added 09:04 - Jan 12 Not buying the Megson thing, as soon as bookies got wind of Jewell odds dropped dramatically, didnt see the same for Megson? If it is true then we had a lucky escape!!!! I see Mr Evans has been talking from his tax exile in Ireland!!
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bedsitfc added 09:05 - Jan 12 I really can't see megson turning us down, from day one jewell was fav to get the job and clegg and evens knew we wanted a football playing manager in. Also looking at jewells record i can see why itfc wanted him. Jewell only failed at clubs with board room problems.
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olimar added 09:10 - Jan 12 " "I spoke to him on the phone on Monday but there was no indication that he was bringing people in [AS SOON AS Thursday]. There was an indication that he was bringing people in, but I don't know who." eh? " The original item may have been amended, but it says "As soon as Thursday". In other words, McParland was asked "Will you still be at the club on Thursday when Paul Jewell takes over?". His answer was, "He indicated he will be bringing people in, but there was no indication he would be bringing people in on Thursday". There.

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PhilTWTD added 09:15 - Jan 12 BLUEBEAT and Olimar It was phrased quite awkwardly, so I amended it. He was asked whether he was expecting new people in on Thursday, he said he wasn't, but that the indication he had been given was that new people were coming in.
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clive_baker added 09:18 - Jan 12 Such nonsense about Megson, Jewell had this deal tied up weeks ago. Well before Keane left. As did Keane well before Jim left.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:31 - Jan 12 Megson was a near miss then, lady luck shines down on Town at last .COYB
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 10:50 - Jan 12 Absolutely nothing against McParland, and I wish him well. But if he stayed, it would smack of the "old regime." We need a completely fresh start, and that is what I expect will happen, with PJ's new man coming in as soon as he can arrange it.
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Ipswich24 added 12:23 - Jan 12 I just think we need completly fresh start that means all Keanes people out we need a proper scouting network at home and abroad also a good coaching and fitness team. We also need to get our reserve team in a better quality league playing decent opposition.
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depressed added 15:10 - Jan 12 Phil.....Any news on Gary Abblet ?
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dalinghooblue added 11:17 - Jan 13 Against the Arsenal, he gave the team back some pride and passion. If that is to be his legacy, if he goes, then Thanks and Good Luck Charlie.
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