McCarthy Set to Be Named New Town Boss

Tuesday, 30th Oct 2012 19:30

TWTD understands that Mick McCarthy will be confirmed as Town’s new manager in the next couple of days with his Wolves assistant Terry Connor and with former Blues skipper Matt Holland as part of his staff. McCarthy has been favourite to succeed Paul Jewell since he was reported to be in talks with Town at the end of last week.

The 53-year-old was sacked by Wolves after six years in charge in February. His assistant, one-time England U21 international Connor, took over for the remainder of the season but couldn’t prevent the Black Country club from dropping into the Championship.

Born in Barnsley, centre-half McCarthy played for his hometown club, Manchester City, Celtic, Lyon and Millwall as well as winning 57 caps and scoring two goals for the Republic of Ireland, the country of his father’s birth.

He began his management career with the Lions in 1992 before moving on to manage his former national side in 1996, a spell which saw his famous clash with ex-Blues boss Roy Keane at the 2002 World Cup.

A few months after that tournament – in which Holland was a regular in the Ireland midfield – McCarthy resigned, joining Sunderland as their boss in March 2003, taking the Black Cats into the Premier League in 2004/05. Having failed to keep them in the top flight the following season he was fired.

In July 2006 he took over at Wolves and led them into the Premier League as Championship winners in 2008/09 and kept them there until his exit in February.

Connor, 49, was a striker with Leeds, Brighton, Portsmouth, Swindon, Bristol City and Yeovil during his playing days.

After hanging up his boots, he coached at Swindon, Bristol Rovers and Bristol City before being taken to Wolves by John Ward in 1999.

In February he took over after McCarthy’s sacking, rejoining the backroom team under new boss Ståle Solbakken. But four games into this season he left the club.

Holland, 38, needs no introduction to Town supporters having played at Portman Road between 1997 and 2003 during which time he skippered the side in the 2000 play-off final victory over Barnsley at Wembley.

Previously with West Ham and Bournemouth, Holland moved on to Charlton before retiring in 2009. More recently the Bury-born midfielder, who won 49 Ireland caps, scoring five times, has been working in the media and is the patron of the ITFC Charitable Trust.

Blues skipper Carlos Edwards previously played for McCarthy during a two-month spell on loan at Wolves in 2008, making five starts and one sub appearance.

Loanee Daryl Murphy was signed from his hometown club Waterford United during McCarthy's time as Sunderland boss, after he had had trials at Portman Road.

Coach Mark Kennedy previously worked with the new boss as a youngster at Millwall and for the Republic of Ireland.

Photo: Action Images

ericclacton added 19:35 - Oct 30

Well done.COYB. 0

dav86 added 19:36 - Oct 30

Good news. Best of luck mick. We all hope you achieve success 0

TimmyH added 19:38 - Oct 30

Let's hope this is true, sounds like a decent set up with Holland involved too - third time lucky let's hope!! 0

john_itfc added 19:39 - Oct 30

Fantastic news, now the hard work begins. 0

Nunn_the_Wiser added 19:40 - Oct 30

Happy with this, a disciplinarian (much needed), a very well respected assistant in Connor, and an ITFC legend in Matty Holland. Fingers crossed it works out. 0

blueflo1 added 19:43 - Oct 30

i hope this true just what town need a passionate manager and good coaching staff,good luck mick 0

Talbs77 added 19:45 - Oct 30

I think this is a good choice in the circumstances.



If we wernt bottom I would have loved us to take on a younger manager but with us bottom and in a hell of a state, theres no better guy than McCarthy to go in there and get rid of a few not comitted and move us forward hopefully.



Lets hope its as done a deal as we hope and he's in the dugout at Birmingham.



0

adrianpaz added 19:45 - Oct 30

How about we all unite behind our new manager both in the stands and on the message boards? There has been too much negativity from fans regarding the last 3 managers of this club and this is a very important appointment for the club - can we please remember we are all Ipswich fans and really get behind our wonderful club. We will never have a manager or a team that we are 100% happy with, but we have to understand that negativity from the fans makes it's way down on to the pitch. Our backs are against the wall and now is the time for us to unite and get our beloved club moving in the right direction again. Good luck Mick McCarthy and you will have my support in making Ipswich Town successful again. 0

frezzieblue added 19:46 - Oct 30

Hope this is true as I truly believe he is the right man to sort the club out. Good luck Mick. COYB 0

Pessimistic added 19:46 - Oct 30

Welcome everyone to boring football but its a results lead business so he will probably get us out of the mire. 0

chippyblue added 19:47 - Oct 30

YES ..... Very happy if this is right " so much talk going round at the moment about who will be boss ! Lets just get him in and get on with it ... 0

bloowarmee added 19:48 - Oct 30

Excellent news. Good luck Mick. Pleased also to have Terry Connor who is a good coach and put in impossible position at Wolves. 0

flashblue added 19:48 - Oct 30

Great. The right choice, and although I've done my money on the Curbishly bet, I'm happy.



I was a bit worried about holloway to be honest. 0

Big_Foot_Blue added 19:48 - Oct 30

McCarthy was my first choice before hearing of Holloway. Shame about more Holloway but more than happy with Mr McCarthy, should kick our club back into gear and push us onwards.... All the best Mick! 0

noitan added 19:48 - Oct 30

Good move and pleased.



Football will be exciting, we'll need a taller CF though. 0

RetroBlue added 19:49 - Oct 30

BRING IT ON.....C.O.Y.B.'s 0

TractorBoy666 added 19:49 - Oct 30

So is this definitely done now? We keep hearing that he's set to be boss but never confirmed. If true, hopefully it will be the kick up the arse's the players need!! 0

stevebluey added 19:50 - Oct 30

terry connor? was he the guy that took over wolves after mccarthy was sacked and couldnt win a game and the wolves fans couldnt get him out quick enough?.......wow i cant wait!! 0

thechangingman added 19:51 - Oct 30

Given the past five years we have all suffered, this sounds like a very solid, measured and sensible appointment.



In other words, it's EXACTLY what is required to put this train-crash back on the rails.



Welcome to our once illustrious club Mick - please rebuild us again...



COYB!!! 0

reyes added 19:51 - Oct 30

Excellent news. Onwards and upwards! COYB 0

bluelad7 added 19:51 - Oct 30

Can't say I would be disappointed with MM - Wolves aren't exactly a small club and he did a pretty good job there. I actually like it coz Roy Keane has a grudge with Mick so I'm sure Mick would like to rub Mr Keane's nose in it, which can only mean great news for us !!! 0

wrighty_blue97 added 19:52 - Oct 30

YES! GREAT NEWS ! COYB! 0

GeorgiDoundarov added 19:52 - Oct 30

Still it is not confirmed so I will keep out of expressing happy feelings until he is firmly appointed (if). But overall he was one of my top three contenders, the others being Harry Redknapp (who was more of a dream rather than a real contender anyways) and Alan Curbishley, who I think could have been a better choice than Mick McCarthy but still we got a high quality manager. Really hope this will be confirmed soon without another bad surprise at the last moment...

If hired I really hope he will be able to get us promoted. Not so sure about keeping us up though. COYB

0