Ipswich Town FC

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• Manager:Paul Jewell

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Keane wants instant success

24 Apr 2009 - 07:15:39

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New manager Roy Keane believes Ipswich Town could be back in the Premier League after the first full season of his tenure.

Keane was unveiled in the Portman Road hot-seat on Thursday afternoon as the replacement for former boss Jim Magilton.

The Irishman has signed a two-year contract with the Tractor Boys but is hoping to bring success back to the club at the earliest possible opportunity.

Ipswich have been out of the top-flight since their relegation at the end of the 2001/02 season.

"It's a massive challenge trying to get the club back in the Premier League," said the former Sunderland manager.

"I'm excited and looking forward to it. I've had a good break. It's good to be back.

"Three or four weeks ago I thought, if the opportunity came up, I was ready for it. I've signed a two-year contract but I'd like to try and do it (get promotion) in one year.

"If I wasn't up for challenges I'd be out walking my dogs today."

Meanwhile, Keane is predicting a busy summer at Portman Road as he looks to make his mark on a squad which failed to secure a play-off place this season.

"Nothing will be happening over the next week or two, we've got to take stock and take it from there," he added with 12 players soon to be out of contract at the club.

"There are a lot of players on long-term injuries and players whose contracts are up, so that might suit me.

"But it would be unfair to say to players whose contracts are up 'You've got two games to prove yourself'.

"All I've asked of any player as a manager is that they give 100 per cent, and that's all I'm asking of the Ipswich players.

"If they're okay with that they will enjoy working with me, if not it will be a very brief relationship."