Neil Warnock is reportedly “waiting in the wings” should Town look to make a change of manager in order to get their stalling promotion challenge back on track.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the 71-year-old, who left Cardiff earlier in the season, is Town’s preferred successor to Paul Lambert if the Scot’s time at Portman Road were to be brought to an end in an attempt to arrest a slump which has seen the Blues win just four of their last 23 games over 90 minutes and slip from the top of League One to ninth.

Rumours that Warnock, who plans to retire this summer, would be a target should the Blues look for a new boss previously circulated just after Christmas prior to Lambert signing a four-year extension to his contract, which runs to 2025, on New Year’s Day.

Warnock, who knows Blues owner Marcus Evans, has been spoken to about taking over at Town in the past, most notably after Roy Keane’s departure in 2012, and we understand would be interested in the role should it become available.

Quizzed on the links with Town job in December, he told The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT: “I think I get linked to everything, all managers do, don’t they? I think that’s how it is at the minute, they’re all talk and everything and you just don’t know.

“But, like I say, if the right thing comes up, I’m not really bothered what it is, I just want to enjoy myself to the end of the season really.”

Photo: Action Images

boroughblue added 11:14 - Mar 1 Would be very interesting if it were to happen, but is there an argument there that it may well be too late for this season? Theres also the question of what the long term plan would be if we went down this route. I wouldn't be against it though, you have to feel that the time for change is near...
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Dissboyitfc added 11:18 - Mar 1 Too much like MM for me. But he could come in until the end of the season and perform a miracle, then start anew in the close season
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StavangerBlue added 11:21 - Mar 1 I like Neil Warnock, he comes across as sensible honest and decent. My worry is the poor management of ME. Is it sensible to get PL out the door for a new manager now? Not in my view. We need to play the season out. Promotion is not going to happen so let's not kid ourselves - playoffs or automatic. The team is poor; disorganised, weak technically, make too many silly and unnecessary mistakes. The squad will shrink due to contracts expiring over the summer so a change would be better then. The issue I have is players leaving as free agents as their contracts expire. Why hasn't this been addressed? No wonders the financial situation is the way it is.

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pauldart added 11:21 - Mar 1 Wish we still had MM - wouldn't be in this situation now. oh well many got what they wished for I guess.
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positivity added 11:28 - Mar 1 what's the point of that? he'd want loads of money, so would lambert,. it's too late for this season, realistically we'd need 8 wins to make the playoffs, then he retires in the summer. it's like paying off a player with a 5 year contract to bring in an expensive loanee player for 2 months. save the money for next season and bring in someone long-term if the change needs to be made

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TractorCam added 11:31 - Mar 1 RHYTHM IS A DANCER WARNOCK IS THE ANSWER GETTING TEAMS UP EVERYWHEREEEE
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agentp added 11:34 - Mar 1 I disagree Stavenger blue. The remaining games will show any new coach the characters of the individual players - matchday attitudes are very different to training. The new coach needs to start assessing this lot ASAP. There is clearly a confidence issue to overcome.
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dirtydingusmagee added 11:34 - Mar 1 Warnock can come across as being a bit obnoxious at times, but he wouldnt take sh#t off anyone, he would wake some of our slumbering wasters or get rid of them, He wont change things now its too late ,but i would hold the door open for him if he arrive tomorrow. Even if you are a doubter , he would be no worse than Lambert, .Chambers wont get one over him thats for sure.

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TimmyH added 11:36 - Mar 1 Can see why supporters would have him here BUT he is McCarthyesque (but with a better track record)...I'd have him here now (which I feel won't happen) only on a clause if he got us up this season to continue otherwise I'd fear we'd be back like where we were with MM but in a league lower.
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Dockerblue added 11:37 - Mar 1 COLIN?!!! No Thanks
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casanovacrow added 11:41 - Mar 1 IF it were to happen it would be so very Marcus Evans. Do something once the damage has been done.
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cat added 11:42 - Mar 1 This would normally be a no,no, but under the current circumstances with a totally inept Manager, who fails to get the best out of a squad which should be competing, I'd say bring him in till the end of season. Lamberts losing the fans and when it's not possible to achieve anything then he'll find out we ain't no mugs. Years of frustration is bubbling under the surface again and it won't take much for it to be unleashed.

12

blueconscience added 11:43 - Mar 1 Shame a new manager won't solve the clubs problems
1

dukey44 added 11:51 - Mar 1 Pauldart what a complete stupid comment... Mm want taking us anywhere and his time had run out... Yet lambert has no tactics that work as he ruined us earlier in season with stupid rotation system and now he never has no plan B and plan A is usually useless too..
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BlueandTruesince82 added 12:00 - Mar 1 Non story, wont haopen. Lambo has a 5 yr contract, Evans has never been a trigger happy owner, the whole club gas talked about the need for consistency. Only way Lambo goes this season is by falling on his sword
4

agentp added 12:20 - Mar 1 Blueandtrue I would imagine the 5-year deal was built on promotion, which looked likely when it was agreed. A promoted manager becomes a key target and it wouldn't be unusual to tie him down to A) keep him and B) Be able to claim substantial compensation.
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robmonkey007 added 12:22 - Mar 1 Unlikely, especially as a rumour state side is that owner of Philadelphia eagles is buying a football (soccer team) club over here. Mate of mine there says ipswich is the club whose name popped up the other day. The guys not a millionaire.......hes a billionaire!
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MickMillsTash added 12:24 - Mar 1 Lose the next 2 games - we could lose the next 4 - and Lambert's out. Can't see any money being given to Lambert over the summer, we are going to lose Downes and we're stuck. Its desperate Surely Evans can see it - Warnock would only come if given some money but he'd get us up.
1

positivity added 12:25 - Mar 1 hope you're right agentp, though good business practice hasn't always been the case with itc! another argument against a short-term panic appointment of colin, if true
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:30 - Mar 1 no good bringing him in for rest of season, it will take a miracle to get us up, playoffs are not going to get us anywhere, dont think we will even make them , with or without PW now. Lambert has to go, Warnock wouldnt be such a bad shout as replacement but only with promotion next season as aim [and achieving it] so 1 year contract then take it from there.IF Evans pays Lambert off there will be even less money available so whoever comes in are going to have to work with whats there, something others have failed to do. So it comes back to the clubs nemesis Evans ,an owner with no understanding of football today .

4

ernie added 12:30 - Mar 1 A case of shutting the door after the horse has bolted; I would get Warnock in nonetheless.
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SickParrot added 12:31 - Mar 1 I do believe that a different manager, who is better tatically, could get more out of the existing players but it's too late to get us in the playoffs this season. As we are likely to lose some of our better players in the summer, the question is whether Lambert is the man to get the best of what's left next season. We may well be in a relegation battle and Warnock could be a good option in those circumstances. I expect ME to at least start next season with Lambert but hopefully have Warnock on the back burner to come in on a one season deal if our results don't improve under Lambert.

1

dirtydingusmagee added 12:35 - Mar 1 Robthemonkey . if only !
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SickParrot added 12:36 - Mar 1 Oops, sorry for typo. Should read: I do believe that a different manager, who is better TACTICALLY ...
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Pilgrimblue added 12:38 - Mar 1 This is just rubbish. No way is ME sacking PL whatever the outcome of the season. One thing is for sure and that is we're just another club that PL has messed up. Norwich is his only success so hope he'll retire soon and leave us to get on with life in L1. As Norwich have proved you don't need to spend in order to produce a good team. Every week i see other clubs out perform Town with smaller budget and less players. Time for clear out from top to bottom.

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