Mick McCarthy back as Ipswich boss
Former Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was today appointed as Ipswich Town manager, with Terry Connor named as his assistant.
McCarthy spent five-and-a-half years at Wolves before he was sacked in February and replaced by Connor in the Molineux dugout.
The 53-year-old was linked with the recent vacancies at Blackburn, Nottingham Forest and Bolton but ultimately settled on a return to management with the East Anglia club.
"I'm obviously delighted to have been given the job as Ipswich Town manager and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead," said McCarthy, who will bring his new side to Molineux on Saturday, December 29.
"It's a fantastic football club, with a proud tradition and history and a terrific fanbase.
"While the long-term ambition is to take the club back into the Premier League, it's clear the first priority is to get some confidence back into the team and start climbing the table."
Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg added: "Mick has a wealth of knowledge and has shown that he knows how to compete successfully in the Championship in his time at both Sunderland and Wolves.
"We are under no illusions of the challenge ahead.
"While the first task is to guide the club away from our current position, we believe Mick has all the credentials and drive to eventually bring success back to Ipswich Town."
The former Ireland boss has signed a contract to keep him at Portman Road until the summer of 2015.
Having played for Barnsley, Manchester City, Celtic and French club Lyon, it was at Millwall where McCarthy's managerial career began.
He was appointed Ireland boss in 1996, leading them to the World Cup finals in 2002.
McCarthy has a wealth of experience in the Championship having won the title with Sunderland and then Wolves, although the Molineux club were firmly lodged in the Premier League relegation zone when he left earlier this year after a 5-1 derby hammering to West Brom.
"I want success here and I've got a good feeling about the place, that's why I'm here," added McCarthy.
"But make no mistake, at the moment the club is in a relegation battle and we've got to fight and scrap to get out of it."
