Keane is new Ipswich boss

Keane has joined the Tractor Boys on a two year deal after Magilton failed to take the club into the top six and a play off place, the minimum requirement. Club owner Marcus Evans said: "Today is a sad day for me. I have enjoyed working with Jim and no one has worked harder to bring success to Ipswich Town.

"Jim has a passion for the club but unfortunately we have not made the progress both he and I expected this season."

Assistant John Gorman went with him as Ipswich confirmed the search was on for a new manager. That search lasted less than 24 hours and early this morning they confirmed the appointment of Keane who has been out of work since leaving the Stadium of Light earlier this season.

Evans said: "I am delighted that Roy has agreed to join us and we are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town. He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play 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."

Keane himself said on his return to the game: "I truly believe that I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side. They have impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started.

Magilton is far from the first Championship casualty of the season with Ipswich becoming the ninth club to change manager this season. With the news yesterday that Graham Turner is standing down at Hereford it leaves Owen Coyle as the 42^nd longest serving manager in the Premier and Football Leagues.