Source: Daily_Mail
Roy Keane emerges as prime candidate to replace Jim Magilton after Ipswich sack boss for failing to
Roy Keane has emerged as the favourite candidate to replace Jim Magilton as Ipswich manager.[LNB]New club owner Marcus Evans this morning sacked 39-year-old Magilton, who was at the bedside of his sick mother, for failing to secure a Championship play-off place - despite beating rivals Norwich 3-2 in the 'Old Farm' derby on Sunday.[LNB]Bryan Klug, first team coach under Magilton, has been appointed temporary charge of the Tractor Boys, but Sportsmail understands that Evans is keen to recruit a big name for next season's promotion push.[LNB]Evans relayed the news by telephone to Magilton, who had flown to his native Belfast upon hearing his mother had been admitted to hospital.[LNB] In the running: Roy Keane (left) and Neil Warnock (right)[LNB]Former Manchester United captain Keane, who resigned his post as Sunderland boss last December, has emerged as the shock front runner for the hot-seat after bookmakers reported a surge of activity on the former Republic of Ireland midfielder.[LNB]Keane, 37, is the odds-on favourite for the post with a series of bookies. [LNB]Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock, who took charge of Sheffield United's brief spell in the Premier League, has also been linked with the post. Alan Curbishley and Alan Pardew are also believed to be in the frame. All have won promotion to the top flight.[LNB]New Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg, who only took up his post on Monday, said:: 'The process to find a replacement is under way and we are closing in on making an appointment. We hope to make an announcement in the near future but I can offer no timescale at this time.[LNB]'We are now starting to speak to other people and we are close to making anappointment.[LNB]'If we can get someone in before the end of the season that would have its benefits.[LNB] Axed: Jim Magilton failed to live up to expectation at Ipswich[LNB]'We want a winner. Someone who is 100% professional and passionate who cantake this club to where it aspires to be.[LNB]'We are not a club which hires and fires managers easily but it is important that we aspire to success at this club.[LNB]'We need to make sure that we have the right man in charge who can deliver that success.[LNB]'Hopefully they will have a track record of delivering that. We arevery clear of the criteria for the sort of person we want to attract tothis club.'[LNB]MAGILTON'S RECORDJim Magilton first joined Ipswich in 1999 then took over as boss in 2006 after Joe Royle left the club. [LNB]Games: 148Won: 56Lost: 51Drawn: 41Win percentage: 38[LNB]Magilton was appointed boss at Portman Road in June 2006 and afterbeing handed £12million to spend on players by Evans he was expected tochallenge for promotion this season.[LNB]However, despite beating Norwich, Ipswich are marooned in mid-table, some 12 points adrift of the top six.[LNB]Magilton had been under fire from Ipswich fans for the majority of the seasonafter a lack of progress on the field despite spending heavily on new playerslike David Norris, Jon Stead and Veliche Shumulikoski. [LNB]In a statement Evans said: 'Today is a sad day for me. I have enjoyed working with Jim over the past 15 months and no onehas worked harder to bring success to Ipswich Town in that time. [LNB]'Jim has a passion for the club but unfortunately we have not made the progress both he and I expected this season. [LNB]'I would like to put on record my thanks for his commitment to this football club and wish him every success for the future.'[LNB]Assistant manager John Gorman, who arrived to help Magilton at the end of January, has also left Portman Road. [LNB] Charles Sale: Evans wants former BOA chief Simon Clegg to be new face of Ipswich2008/09 sack race - the full list of managerial departures this seasonIpswich 3 Norwich 2: Penalty pain leaves Canaries teetering on the brinkASH WEDNESDAY: Smart Alex leads way as bosses tie themselves in knots
