Joe Royle, the Latics most successful ever manager, has shocked Ipswich with the news that he has parted company with the club. People connected with the club were stunned when he announced his decision to move on. Ipswich Chairman David Sheepshanks said, "Joe and I have met today and agreed that this is the right moment to go our separate ways. The parting is entirely amicable. I would like to place on record our warm appreciation and thanks for the tremendous job that Joe has done at Ipswich during his tenure, managing the club initially through turbulent times and building a side that reached the play-offs in two out of the last three seasons."
Big Joe added, "I would like to thank everyone involved at Ipswich Town. The fantastic staff and the players for their support and for giving their best at all times. As the chairman said, we part extremely amicably and I wish the club, its staff and the supporters nothing but the very best for the future."