71-y/o waiting in the wings for Ipswich job?

Ipswich Town are reportedly set to turn to Neil Warnock should they part ways with current boss Paul Lambert, as reported by the EADT.

Warnock, who has been out of work since leaving Cardiff earlier this campaign, has got eight promotions on his CV after leading the likes of Cardiff City, Sheffield United and QPR to promotion. At 71 years of age, Warnock is understood to want one last crack at management and the Tractor Boys could be seen as a perfect fit.

The news of Warnock’s name should be familiar with Ipswich fans this season as he was previously linked the managerial position.

However, that news was quickly followed by the announcement of a new five-year deal for current boss Paul Lambert, a deal which is understood to have clauses inserted should Town fail to make the play-offs this season.

Speaking after Saturday’s defeat against Blackpool to the Official website, Lambert expressed the importance of taking six points out of the next two home games. However, the sides Ipswich are facing are high-flying Fleetwood Town (Tuesday night) and Coventry City (Saturday), whatever the results, it seems it could be an interesting week at Portman Road.

Our View

The news that Ipswich Town could be changing their manager shouldn’t come as much surprise. The Tractor Boys have won just four of their last 23 outings (in all competitions) which has seen the Suffolk side slump from top spot to ninth, promotion favourites to a team who are probably not going to even make the play-offs.

However, Paul Lambert has recently signed a new five-year contract, surely making him one of the safest managers in football? The move to part ways would certainly raise a few eyebrows based on the January contract extension. The results on the pitch have meant that there is continued speculation regarding Lambert’s future and it will now be seen as a surprise if Ipswich remain in League One next term with Lambert at the helm.

Would Neil Warnock be the answer though? Short term, possibly. The experienced manager is a winner, he gets the best out of his sides and would certainly have an initial bounce with this Ipswich team. The worry for Ipswich fans would be the long-term plan, Warnock has already mentioned he will soon be retiring which could leave the Tractor Boys back at square one!