Former Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook has been appointed manager of League One club Ipswich Town.
Cook - who also managed Chesterfield, Portsmouth and Wigan - has signed a contract with Ipswich until the summer of 2023.
The 54-year-old replaces Paul Lambert, who was sacked over the weekend despite a 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers at Portman Road on Saturday.
Cook has been out of work since last July when he stepped down as Wigan boss following the club's relegation from the Championship due to a 12-point deduction for entering administration a few weeks earlier.
"I’m delighted to announce that Paul Cook is our new manager," Ipswich owner, Marcus Evans said.
"He has a proven track record in getting clubs promoted and importantly, not only knows the challenges League One presents but also has experience of working in the Championship and getting back to that level remains our primary focus.
"He took Wigan up to the Championship in his first year, kept them up and they would have comfortably finished in mid-table last season if it wasn’t for their points deduction.
"In our conversations, he has shown a great desire to become our next manager and I have been impressed by his ideas and ambitions to help take Ipswich Town forwards and I look forward to working with him as we strive firstly to return to the Championship.
"He knows he will be working with a squad of players that is as good as any in this division and I believe Paul will bring the energy, the enthusiasm and the experience that can fully enhance our promotion aspirations.
"As well as having a history - and on-going desire - of developing a winning formula, his teams have played in a style which is totally in line with the Club’s ambitions to develop an Ipswich Town playing ethos.
"I’m sure our supporters will give Paul a great welcome - albeit from afar at the moment - and get right behind him and the players as we enter what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the season."
🤝 Welcome to #itfc, Paul Cook!
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) March 2, 2021
Cook will be in the stands on Tuesday night to watch Ipswich play against one of his former clubs Accrington before taking the players for training for the first time on Thursday.
"First I want to wish Paul [Lambert] and Stuart [Taylor] all the best for the future. I know them both and it’s a hard business, football," Cook told the club website.
"It’s been a quick turnaround with zoom meetings with the owner but Marcus has given me the opportunity to manage what is a great football club and that is a massive honour for me and my family.
"I’m proud to be in this position and I’ll be doing everything possible to repay the faith Marcus has shown in me.
"Winning promotion this season is the immediate target. It will be a big challenge but it’s a challenge that everyone at the Club has a part to play in."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
