FORMER Colchester United head coach John McGreal has been named Ipswich Town's interim manager.

The former U's boss will be in charge of Town for their League One trip to play Charlton Athletic, who currently have former U's favourite Johnnie Jackson in temporary charge.

Ex-Colchester goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin (pictured below), who was McGreal's assistant during his short spell at Swindon Town, will assist McGreal in the dugout.

McGreal will also be assisted by former U's keeper Carl Pentney, who is head of academy goalkeeping at Ipswich, and Town U23s coach Kieron Dyer.

Gazette:

Ipswich confirmed McGreal's interim appointment this morning, following the dismissal of Paul Cook as manager on Saturday night.

Town have also confirmed that Gary Roberts, Franny Jeffers, Ian Craney and John Keeley have also left Portman Road, following Cook's exit.

McGreal returned to Ipswich last week after taking up a role coaching their U23s and development squads, supporting Kieron Dyer.

The 49-year-old made 150 appearances for the Blues and helped them win promotion to the Premier League, in 2000.

McGreal spent a total of 11 years as a coach at Colchester, including four years as head coach.

He led the U's to the League Two play-offs and League Cup quarter-finals for only the second time in their history, last season.

McGreal also helped the U’s compete for a top-seven finish in his first three years in charge, along with helping a number of talented players progress to a higher level, after shining under his management.

He parted company with Colchester in the summer of 2020, with his assistant Steve Ball succeeding him as head coach.

McGreal had a brief stint in charge at Swindon earlier this year but left after a month in the role after off-the-field problems at the League Two club.