Owner: Short term performance does not change the importance to the Club of supporting a management team who I believe over the next few years will take Ipswich Town back to where we all want and expect it to be”

Paul Lambert has signed a new contract that will keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2025.

The Town boss, who took charge at the Club in October 2018, had 18 months to run on his current deal but after talks with Blues’ owner Marcus Evans, a four year extension has now been agreed.

Paul put pen to paper on the contract this morning ahead of Town’s New Year’s Day visit to Wycombe.

“Football management is a precarious business and I have stated many times the importance of having a long term vision which is executed by a management team who are confident that they will be given time to continually improve the performance and quality of the squad,” Marcus told the Club website.

“The coaching group led by the manager have done a fantastic job in turning a fragile environment - following last season’s relegation - into one where we have a mental expectation to win every game.

“The last few matches have seen results not go our way, however, we should not lose sight of the fact that we have lost only five games in the league in the first half of the season and are performing better at the halfway point than nearly every team that suffered relegation last year from any division.

“We have all seen many relegated teams pick up in a new season where they left off, losing games with nervous performances. This has not been the case at Ipswich.

“Paul has developed a strong squad and has been a catalyst in the Club’s re-engagement with fans, including playing a role in helping to bring new supporters to Portman Road. I am therefore pleased to announce that Paul and I reached agreement last month to extend his current deal for an additional four years and we are now able to officially announce the new contract.

“We would all, of course, like to be announcing this on the back of a better run but short term performance does not change the importance to the Club of supporting a management team who I believe over the next few years will take Ipswich Town back to where we all want and expect it to be.”