Keano Returns

[silly punt]

Keane appointed Ipswich manager

Keane has been out of work since December
Roy Keane has been appointed manager of Championship side Ipswich Town.

The 37-year-old signed a two-year contract following the dismissal of Jim Magilton on Wednesday.

Keane has been out of work since December when he resigned as Sunderland manager, having taken the club from the Championship to the Premier League.

"I truly believe I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side," said Keane.

Ambitious owner and entrepreneur Marcus Evans has spent £12m on new players since he took over the club in late 2007 on a quest reach the Premier League.

Magilton was sacked for failing to guide Ipswich to the Championship play-off places, with Evans immediately turning his attentions to Keane.

"The club's owner (Marcus Evans) and chief executive (Simon Clegg) impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started," added the ex-Manchester United midfielder.



BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener
Keane took over as Sunderland boss in August 2006 with the club languishing second from bottom in the Championship.

He made an immediate impact, transforming the fortunes of the club, guiding them to the Championship title as well as the Premier League.

And Evans is confident he has lured the best man for the job to Portman Road.

"We are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town," he said.

"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. I believe he is the right man to take this Club where we want to be - the Premier League."

Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg added: "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."

[Admiral Badger]

All hail the "Tractor Roys".

[dipper]

I'll have to start following their results!

[Broken Wing]

I presume the media will now begin to refer to the tractor boys as Roy Keane's Ipswich. Here's hoping their bandwagon is big enough for the Sunderland crowd.

[suisse]

Do Elvery's sell Norwich jersies?

[Kyle]

how long will it be before the travel agents start offering trips to see Ipwsich play?

[Mauler]

Oh dear God ... can't wait to spot the first Ipswich jersey in town - they will be herded towards the wall!