Ipswich Town sack manager Paul Hurst with club bottom of Sky Bet Championship table
Ipswich have sacked Paul Hurst following the club's disappointing start to the Sky Bet Championship season.
The former Grimsby and Shrewsbury boss was only appointed to the Portman Road hot seat in June, but has paid the price for delivering just one win from his opening 14 games in charge.
The 2-0 defeat at Leeds on Wednesday was the final straw, leaving them bottom with nine points.
His assistant Chris Doig has also lost his job, with Bryan Klug taking caretaker charge ahead of the weekend trip to Millwall.
Chairman Marcus Evans is looking to make a quick appointment and former Norwich boss Paul Lambert has been linked with the role.
He told the club's official website: "I have decided that it is in the best interests of the football club that we appoint a new manager to take us forward.
👋 BREAKING: Ipswich have sacked manager Paul Hurst just 14 games into his spell at the club
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 25, 2018
⬇️ His leaves with #ITFC bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table pic.twitter.com/zon5hpyLav
"I would like to thank Paul and Chris for their efforts and we wish them well for the future but after 14 matches we find ourselves bottom of the Championship and with only one win this season.
"Paul's arrival here in the summer was welcomed by us all and we worked tirelessly to support him fully with his plans for player recruitment, training methodology and backroom staff.
"But unfortunately those plans haven't turned into positive results, which is why I have had to take this decision.
"The core of our club remains strong and it is that which has helped us create a highly competitive team in the Championship over the last five or six years.
📰 According to reports, Paul Lambert is being considered as Hurst's replacement...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 25, 2018
🤔 Would you be happy with that appointment, #ITFC fans? pic.twitter.com/HkTXpG5L8b
"This group of experienced players along with the additions we made to the squad this summer of younger developing talent, plus the ongoing progression of players from our academy, means the new manager will have a solid group to work with and build for the future.
"I am determined that we develop a team to play attractive and exciting football.
"I am actively looking to appoint a new manager, as soon as possible, with experience, who will embrace the long-term vision we all have for the club and who can deliver the success that every Ipswich supporter craves."
Hurst took over from Mick McCarthy in early June, just days after his Shrewsbury side lost to Rotherham in the League One play-off final.
His directive was to recruit young players from the lower leagues and develop them, but he has paid the price for poor results.
Lambert favourite for job
Paul Lambert has been installed as the odds-on favourite by EFL title sponsors Sky Bet to become the next Ipswich Town manager:
- Paul Lambert - 1/4
- Tim Sherwood - 6/1
- Simon Grayson - 8/1
- Nathan Jones - 10/1
- Steve Bruce - 10/1
- Bryan Klug - 14/1
- Mark Warburton - 14/1
- Mick McCarthy - 14/1
Odds correct at 1750 BST on 25/10/18
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