Keane Focused on Tractor Boys Revolution
New Ipswich Town Boss Roy Keane to Bring the XFactor to Suffolk Club
Jun 9, 2009
Following the departure of former boss, Jim Magilton at the end of April, the media spotlight has since been focused on Portman Road with the arrival of superstar Roy Keane as Ipswich Town's new manager. The Championship club finished outside the playoff places with a frustrating 9th position in the top half. Ambitious owner, Marcus Evans clearly has big plans for the Suffolk side and with a lack of progress under Northern Irishman Magilton, Keane has been summoned to make a strong bid for the top six.
Deep Pockets For Blues Owner Evans
It promises to be a busy summer for Keane, with Marcus Evans rumoured to be offering a transfer kitty of up to £20M in order for the former Sunderland manager to revamp the squad into automatic promotion contenders. A number of current Sunderland players have already been linked to the club. Left-sided winger Carlos Edwards and central defender Paul McShane look most likely to make the switch from Wearside to East Anglia, but the club have plenty of other irons in the fire. The Blues' scouting network was extended to South America for a three-month spell in the New Year, already yielding the signing of Argentine, Luciano Civelli.
End of an Era as Sheepshanks Departs as Chairman
Following Marcus Evans' root-and-branch investigation of the club behind the scenes, it was revealed that there were to be changes at boardroom level. Long-serving chairman, David Sheepshanks took a back seat last season in a non-executive position and stepped down last month ending a thirteen-year association with the club as chairman. Chief Executive Derek Bowden also left the club after steering the club out of the murky waters of administration, replaced by former British Olympic Association Chief Executive Simon Clegg. Clegg's ambitious outlook has enchanted the Ipswich supporters, with over 16,000 season tickets sold by the end of May. Clegg, a former Paratrooper officer enthused: "I have joined Ipswich Town because I am absolutely convinced that working together with the fans, sponsors, community and staff will once again put the club back in the Premiership."
Can Ipswich Handle the Heightened Pressure?
Bookmakers have made Town fourth favourites to take the Championship crown next season following their encouraging end to 2008/09. Roy Keane's record in the second tier is undoubtedly impressive, taking Sunderland from the relegation zone to the title in the same season. Traditionally sides who make a strong start to the season fade away - cases in point being Cardiff and Watford of previous years. However, Wolves bucked the trend this term and if Keane can mould a team of promotion-winning experience and young talent, a return to the top flight beckons.
