Keane appointed at Ipswich

Roy Keane was on Thursday confirmed as the new manager of Ipswich.

The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder has signed a two-year contract with the Coca-Cola Championship side, who sacked former boss Jim Magilton on Wednesday.

Keane told the club's official website: "I truly believe that I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side."

He added: "The club's owner (Marcus Evans) and chief executive (Simon Clegg) impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started."

The 37-year-old has been out of work since departing as Sunderland manager last December.

Magilton fell victim to the Portman Road regime's top-flight aspirations on Wednesday when he was sacked as Ipswich manager after failing to lead them into the Championship play-offs.

That followed a £12million, Evans-funded spending spree on new players following the hospitality entrepreneur's takeover late in 2007.

However, the new investment failed to produce a concerted push for promotion, as the Tractor Boys were consigned to mid-table and an eighth straight season in the second tier.

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 the 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."