FORMER Celtic skipper Paul Lambert has left Ipswich Town – almost a month after CQN revealed shameful front page headlines in the local newspaper urging the club to SACK the manger.
The Hoops icon departed the third tier outfit apparently after “differences of opinion” with owner and chairman Marcus Evans.
With Lambert hardly out of the building, ex-Wigan and Portsmouth boss Paul Cook is in advanced talks to take over and it is likely a deal will be struck in time for the 54-year-old coach to attend tomorrow night’s game at Accrington before officially becoming the new gaffer the following day.
The former Hoops and Scotland international midfielder led the Portman Road side to a 2-1 victory over Doncaster at the weekend as punters cashed in on the best betting offers – Lambert’s final game in charge.
Assistant Stuart Taylor has also left the club and Evans, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “It has become clear after holding discussions over the last few days that there are significant differences of opinion as to the order of immediate priorities and we agreed it was best for us to part company.
“I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Paul and Stuart for their services to Ipswich Town over the last two and half years. I have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with Paul in our time together and he has brought a lot of positive aspects to the club.”
Lambert, who took charge of Ipswich in October 2018, leaves the club in eighth place in the League One table, two points off the play-off positions.
The 51-year-old could not stop Ipswich falling out of the Championship in April 2019 and the Suffolk side, despite making a strong start to life in the third tier, finished 11th last season when placings were determined on a points-per-game basis due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US investors are reportedly close to buying the club and Lambert conceded that if the club were taken over, he would likely not remain in his post.
He said: “When a takeover generally comes in, it’s 99.9 per cent I won’t be here.”
Lambert will now take time to ponder his next move and inevitably he has been linked with the vacant role at Parkhead following his former team-mate Neil Lennon’s exit from the champions last week.
