Former Manchester City and Everton boss Joe Royle has signed a two-and-a-half-year contact to become the new manager of Ipswich Town.

Royle beat off 38 other applicants for the post, which became vacant after the sacking of George Burley earlier this month.

Ipswich are currently 17th in Division One and chairman David Sheepshanks says Royle has the "express mandate to return the club to the Premiership as soon as possible".

Royle said: "I was approached by other clubs during my sabbatical but I saw this as a chance to do something. It is a club with a great reputation for sportsmanship and a chance to be successful".

The new manager will have to sell players before he can bring in new faces but believes the current squad is good enough to get Ipswich promoted.

He says he is 'desperate' to keep captain Matt Holland but knows the Republic of Ireland midfielder may move - possibly to Aston Villa - when the transfer window re-opens.

Burley's assistant Tony Mowbray will stay on at the club.

Royle added: "I will approach the job in stages, getting away from the bottom, the play-off places and then who knows?

"There is plenty of ability here. When a side is losing confidence can become strained but I have not seen any sign that that has happened here."

Royle's arrival would end two weeks of intense speculation, which has seen countless names linked with the vacancy at Portman Road.

Published Monday October 28, 2002

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