Managers

Ipswich Town has had 17 permanent managers since turning professional in 1936 and joining the Football League in 1938. Two — Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson — went on to manage England.

Manager timeline

• Mick McCarthy
  2012–2018
  Long-serving modern-era manager; Championship stability.
• Kieran McKenna
  2021–Present
  Back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League (2023, 2024).
• Paul Cook
  2021–2021
  Short tenure during transitional period.
• Paul Lambert
  2018–2021
  Could not prevent relegation to League One in 2019.
• Paul Hurst
  2018–2018
  Brief spell; departed after poor start to Championship season.
• Roy Keane
  2009–2011
  Former Man Utd captain; mixed results in the Championship.
• Jim Magilton
  2006–2009
  Former Town midfielder; mid-table Championship finishes.
• Joe Royle
  2002–2006
  Managed in the Championship after Premier League relegation.
• George Burley
  1994–2002
  Led Ipswich to Premier League promotion via play-offs in 2000 and a fifth-place finish in 2000-01, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
• John Lyall
  1990–1994
  Won the Second Division title in 1991-92, earning a place in the inaugural Premier League.
• Bobby Ferguson
  1987–1990
  Former West Ham manager; mid-table finishes in the old Second Division.
• John Duncan
  1982–1987
  Took over after Bobby Robson; steady but unspectacular spell.
• Bobby Robson
  1969–1982
  The most celebrated manager in the club's history. Won the FA Cup (1978), the UEFA Cup (1981), and twice finished First Division runners-up. Left to manage England.
• Bill McGarry
  1964–1968
  Won the Second Division championship in 1967-68, returning Ipswich to the top flight.
• Jackie Milburn
  1963–1964
  Newcastle legend; struggled after Alf Ramsey's departure.
• Alf Ramsey
  1955–1963
  Transformed Ipswich from a Third Division South side into First Division champions (1961-62) — the club's only league title. Left to manage England, winning the 1966 World Cup.
• Scott Duncan
  1937–1955
  Ipswich's first professional-era manager. Won the Third Division South title in 1953-54.

Notable facts

• Longest-serving: Bobby Robson (13 years, 1969–1982)
• Most successful: Alf Ramsey (Third Division South title, Second Division title, First Division title)
• Most decorated: Bobby Robson (FA Cup, UEFA Cup, 2x First Division runners-up)
• Promotions: Kieran McKenna is the only manager to achieve back-to-back promotions since Ramsey

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