Town have confirmed that manager Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor will be leaving Portman Road at the end of the season.

McCarthy met owner Marcus Evans on Wednesday night and, according to a statement on the club website, “decided the move was in the best interest of all parties”.

The former Ireland boss, who took over at Portman Road in November 2012, and Connor will stay in charge for the remainder of the season. The duo's contract is up in the summer.

“Mick and I had a discussion and we both agreed that this was the best way forward for him and for Ipswich Town,” Evans told the club website.

“It never got to the point where we actually talked about a new contract. It just felt right that it was time for us both to look at different options. “Mick has been a fantastic manager for this football club, ably supported by Terry who has also been invaluable in the development of the team.

“When Mick arrived, we looked to be on the way to relegation. He saved us from that and then took us to the play-offs within two years.

“In his six years here he has made us a very competitive club in what is a very competitive league. No one looks forward to playing Ipswich.

🗣"I went and spoke to Marcus and after having that chat we both decided that it's probably best if we go our separate ways."

Mick McCarthy to depart the Club at the end of his contract pic.twitter.com/nnwthDmKk7

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) March 29, 2018

“He has also been instrumental in developing our youth policy and has overseen the progress of a number of our young players from the academy into the first-team and nurtured their development in line with the club’s strategy.

“He’s immensely popular with all the staff at Portman Road and has built a strong backroom team who will provide important continuity as we move into a new era.

“On a personal note, I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with him which is vital between owner and manager at any football club.

“Mick will see out his contract here and then we will look to make an announcement regarding his successor in due course.

“In the meantime, I want to put on record my sincere thanks to Mick for the job he has done here as our manager and urge supporters to get behind him and the players so that we can finish the season as strongly as possible.”

McCarthy added: “I had a good discussion with Marcus and we feel this is the right thing to do for me and for Ipswich Town.

“I have loved my time here and I am proud of what I have achieved over the last six years - and the relationship I have enjoyed with the players and all the staff at the club in that time.

“I won’t be leaving with any regrets. I have given everything for Ipswich Town and I will see out my contract in the same way.”

Photo: TWTD

runaround added 19:21 - Mar 29 100% the correct decision & probably should have been made earlier as the sense of drift & hopelessness has been intolerable recently and has really damaged the club. Whoever the new manager is, it may turn out to be a great appointment, a terrible one or more likely something in between but there can be no doubt that change has to happen. Time will tell how it goes. To those who say careful what you wish for, I wish to enjoy being a supporter of Ipswich Town & now I just might be able to again! Thanks Mick for what you did for the club but time to move on

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Swn98 added 19:29 - Mar 29 Finidi I would want to know from Marcus Evans, his vision for the future of the club, and how much money he is going to make available for transfers. Simple answer none. The future for town fans looks bleak.
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blueboy1981 added 19:29 - Mar 29 In some ways Evans has been let down by three Managers Keane and Jewell for their obvious reasons - and McCarthy (other than staving off relegation from the Championship, which he will always be able to do with his style of Football) . We were never going to go nowhere with MM - money to spend, or no money. Personally, I believe Evans knew this and was cautious of being loose with the purse strings - the requirement of style / tactics change was never going to come with McCarthy. We will now see whether the diabolical state of the pitch is addressed, and whether the owner has a genuine desire to see the Club successful or not. We need to attract the right Manager now more than ever, I just hope Evans now makes that right choice - for his sake, and ours.

5

SickParrot added 19:43 - Mar 29 YES! At last. He should have been sacked after F Offgate. I have to acknowledge that he did a great job keeping us up in his first season (but he was well rewarded financially for that) and he deserves credit for reaching the playoffs on a small budget. However, his outdated and boring brand of football together with his huge ego and increasingly antagonistic attitude towards any crititicsm from supporters makes his departure essential and long overdue. I will now be able to end my 2 year exile from Portman Road.

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inghamspur added 20:13 - Mar 29 It was time for a change but I wonder how long it will be before the numbskulls get on the new manager's case. Do you really think Steve McLaren is the answer because that is what you could be what is coming our way? The owner has to provide some more investment in the team or even Gandalf wouldn't be able to turn things round. Let's hope this means brighter times ahead, but I keep thinking Coventry, Portsmouth, Wigan, Blackburn, Blackpool, etc

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poldark added 20:14 - Mar 29 98 signings and team no better Evans has backed him it must have cost a fortune to sign all these players and to think Sir Bobby signed 12 in 12 years
4

jonnysuave added 20:20 - Mar 29 Who knows eh?
1

BuckieBlue added 22:23 - Mar 29 MM going obviously best decision, but a lot depends on ME now, whether he loosens purse strings (hopefully whoever his first choice is, will insist on adequate funding).
1

GatesofDelirium added 23:06 - Mar 29 MM record to date: Won 103, Drawn 79, Lost 93. Much better than Jewell and Keane, of course, but about the same as Magilton (W56, D51, L51) which surprised me. Admittedly the entertainment has been sorely lacking recently and there wasn't a single cup run during MM's tenure but ITFC is in better standing than when he arrived - not just the league position but also financially (thanks to astute signings that were later sold for millions) and the youth set up (though much of the praise most go to Klug never forget how a previous manager (Keane) decimated it). I'd like to thank MM and TC for their efforts. I don't doubt that they did their best these past 5 and a half seasons but the results simply haven't been good enough for a while and this club needs to be challenging to get back into the premiership. Let's hope this decision makes PR a loss toxic place to be.

0

GatesofDelirium added 23:10 - Mar 29 Realistically, I'd take Paul Hurst (Shrewsbury) or Paul Cook (Wigan) as the new gaffer but would love to see Marco Silva.
4

Theipswich added 23:13 - Mar 29 Am I the only one who believed we are in worse shape than when McCarthy took over? We have been rudderless for a long, long time and if we look at the situation in clear terms: 1- No progression on the pich as far as results and placements, apart from one season...3 years ago 2 -No academy players progressed into the first team and cemented a place in his tenure 3 - Zero progress in all cups..shambolic record by a man petrified to risk 4 - Probably the worst style of football ever witnessed at Portman Road - dreadful anti-football 5 - breakdown in realtions between hierarchy and club that prided itself on communal spirit Many bridges to repair...starting with a brash young lion of a manager...or George Burley but please not McLaren...just damaged goods

13

itfchorry added 23:49 - Mar 29 Lot more deadwood to clear out of the Club before we can see the dark black clouds being removed from Portman Road - Milne OUT
3

wayway added 00:19 - Mar 30 A boring man who plays boring football. I said that after his first season. I am surprised Evans PLC has not renewed his contract but I the end it all came down to gates and season ticket sales. How many do you think would have been at P R for the Barnsley game on Tuesday week if the announcement had not been made. Despite the euphoria of today Evans PLC remains the problem and a concerted effort must be made to force them to sell up. Lets see and end to these absent, faceless people

9

runningout added 00:55 - Mar 30 if your upset that MM told you to F off, you have to take a long hard look at yourself.
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poldark added 09:06 - Mar 30 running out just shows what you are like
2

ashp19 added 09:31 - Mar 30 4th round of a cup here we come!
5

grumpyoldman added 11:11 - Mar 30 All those who now believe we are going downhill because their messiah is going, please wake up we have been going downhill for a long time. You Luddites fear change, I embrace it, not change with no good reason but an evolution. As Theipswich says have we improved under MM in my opinion we have gone backwards.
8

blueboy1981 added 11:23 - Mar 30 Swn98 ........ How could the future look more bleak than it did before this week ..... ?? - most people have given up looking for logic in any of your posts. Must be related to McCarthy - no other explanation for such comments. Go and get some more Sun on your back - may just have the desired effect.
4

NBVJohn added 11:52 - Mar 30 Blue75 - depending on which record you check our average attendance in 99/00 was no higher than 18,500. Yes the ground was smaller at 22,000 but the average was comfortably within capacity. I seldom recall struggling to get tickets. My point is that whilst I do think some missing supporters may return, the drop is not completely down to MM's football. I think price plays a significant part, and other economic factors too. If I can't afford it, I can't afford it, regardless of entertainment value.

1

Pendejo added 12:48 - Mar 30 Right decision purely due to the tension between fans / management... results will dictate whether it is the correct decision long term. Good luck Mick, here's hoping you get a crack at The Prem or a club with oodles of cash. Remember towards the end at Wolves? Breakdown between manager and fans... every Wolves fan I've met since [up to arrival of their new disgustingly rich owners & Champions League signings] has regretted his leaving... here's hoping we don't. We move on. COYB

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terryf added 16:04 - Mar 30 THE RIGHT DECISION....Although Mc Carthy is still saying I've never changed!! That's the problem Mick. Life evolves and unfortunately you are stuck in a time warp!!!! THE RIGHT DECISION.....it is crucial we get in the right Manager. A progressive young Manager, tactically aware, such as Paul Cook, Marco Silva or Nathan Jones who wants to play creative football. No Journeymen Managers please Marcus!!! With the right Manager we could be looking onwards and upwards....with THE WRONG MANAGER we could end up in League One???

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runningout added 19:59 - Mar 30 Waste of time holding a grudge with our manager now he's going I say. I genuinely worry about some my fellow ITFC supporters sometimes
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wayway added 20:42 - Mar 30 For once Swn has posted something I agree with. The future for ITFC fans does look bleak but not because Boring Billy McCarthy has gone, it is because Evans PLC are still here. Will you be protesting against our faceless absent owners?
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