Source: Daily_Mail
Tractor Boy Roy accepts shock return to management at Ipswich
Roy Keane has set his sights on a quick return to the Barclays Premier League after being named manager of Ipswich Town today.[LNB]It was confirmed this morning that Keane has signed a two-year contract at Portman Road after talks with owner Marcus Evans and new chief executiveSimon Clegg.[LNB]'I truly believe that I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side,' said Keane, who will be officially unveiled in a press conference at 4pm today.[LNB] Back in the firing line: Keane will spearhead Ipswich's promotion charge[LNB] [LNB]'The club's owner and chief executive impressed upon me their totalfocus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can'twait to get started.'[LNB]Tony Loughlin, who was part of Keane's staff at Sunderland before they quit in December, has rejoined him as No 2. The pair will now start work ahead of Saturday's trip to Cardiff.[LNB]The Ipswich hierarchy wanted a new man in place for the final two games of the season after sacking Jim Magilton yesterday. [LNB]Keane, 37, has been givenmassive funds to take the club back to the Premier League.[LNB]Keane's box-office appeal, together with a track record of winningthe Championship, which he achieved with Sunderland two years ago, madehim the choice of Evans and Clegg.[LNB]Last night, former Manchester United skipper Keane accepted Ipswich's offer after being given assurances that he will be allowed the freedom to do the job his own way, without interference from the board.[LNB] Welcome: Keane enjoys his new surroundings in Suffolk[LNB] 'I am delighted that Roy has agreed to join us and we are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town,' said Evans. [LNB]'He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play the attractive football that Ipswich Town fans have come to expect. [LNB]MORE ON ROY'S RETURN TO MANAGEMENT About a Roy: From United hero to stepping down at Sunderland - and back again? The highs and lows of KeaneLet's hope Ipswich have got deep pockets - Sportsmail's verdict on the £80m Sunderland transfer record of Roy KeaneHOW SPORTSMAIL LED THE WAY: Roy Keane emerges as prime candidate to replace Jim Magilton after Ipswich sack boss for failing to secure play-off spotIpswich old boy Mariner reckons new boss Keane has landed on his feetRoy's rants and raves - the best Keane quotesVIDEO SPECIAL: Remember this, Roy? Keane struck when United embarrassed Ipswich 9-0 'I believe he is the right man to take this club where we want to be - the Premier League.'[LNB]Clegg, the former chief executive of the British Olympic Associationwho only took up his post on Monday, said: 'The appointment of Roy Keane further demonstrates our commitment to help Ipswich Town Football Club achieve our aim of returning to the Premier League at the earliest possible opportunity. [LNB]'Roy has experienced promotion as Championship winners as a manager and, importantly then kept his side in English football's top flight and I am looking forward to working with him.[LNB]'It is a massive coup for Ipswich Town and I think it demonstrates a sign of ambition and statement of the intent of the owner of this club. It will lead to what we believe and hope will be a new dawn in the era of this club.[LNB]'He has a fantastic track record in achieving just what we aspire toat this club, when he was at Sunderland, taking them from fourth frombottom in the Championship to being champions in the same season,taking them up into the Premier League then retaining their position inthe Premiership the following season.[LNB] Passion: Keane (left) clashes with Patrick Vieira during his United days[LNB][LNB]'We're not going to put any timescales on how or when we are goingto reach our aspirations but the entire resources of this club will befocused on delivering that aim.[LNB]'I'm not going to go into details regarding the finances of thisclub and how much money is available but it goes without saying, havingmade the statement of intent that we have, that the owner will supportboth the manager and myself in terms of giving us the resources we needto achieve that goal.'[LNB]After quitting Sunderland just before Christmas, Keane complainedthat Ellis Short, the club's majority shareholder, had meddled in teammatters. [LNB] Sacked: Magilton (left) and John Gorman left Portman Road yesterday[LNB]Keane, who will move from Cheshire to East Anglia, might be alarmedby the way his new employers handled the departure of Magilton, giventhat Evans sacked him over the phone yesterday.[LNB]Magilton, 39, had been manager at Portman Road almost three yearsand paid the price for failing to make the play-offs this seasondespite significant investment in the squad. [LNB]Now Keane will have the task of deciding which of the 15 players out of contract in the summer will be awarded a new deal. Magilton's No 2 John Gorman, the former England assistant manager, has also left.[LNB]After leaving Sunderland, Keane made it clear that he would not workanywhere without a large degree of autonomy. [LNB] Autonomy: Keane will insist on a level of independence after his experiences at Sunderland[LNB]'It started with a demandto know where I had been the previous day, that he wanted me availableat all times,' Keane said earlier this year about the conversations with Short which preceded his departure from the Stadium of Light.[LNB]'It was a disappointment. Then there were accusations about how often I came in, about moving my family up. And it was the tone.[LNB]'At United, I finished and I knew I was just an employee to them. At Sunderland it was the same. I left and people came out saying Roy's gone and we're all more relaxed.[LNB]'It was them and me. The United experience helped me. It didn't upset me, what happened at Sunderland. It was a business decision. Even for me I suppose it was a business decision. I couldn't give my heart and soul with this fella on my shoulder.'[LNB] About a Roy: From United hero to stepping down at Sunderland - and back again? The highs and lows of KeaneLet's hope Ipswich have got deep pockets - Sportsmail's verdict on the £80m Sunderland transfer record of Roy KeaneHOW SPORTSMAIL LED THE WAY: Roy Keane emerges as prime candidate to replace Jim Magilton after Ipswich sack boss for failing to secure play-off spotIpswich old boy Mariner reckons new boss Keane has landed on his feetRoy's rants and raves - the best Keane quotesVIDEO SPECIAL: Remember this, Roy? Keane struck when United embarrassed Ipswich 9-0[LNB]
