Ipswich Town Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Gary O’Neil as Manager.

The 43-year-old, who is the 20th manager in the Blues’ 90-year professional history, arrives at Portman Road from French side Strasbourg, signing a three-year deal to the summer of 2029.

O’Neil guided Strasbourg to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last season – the first time the club had ever reached the last four of a European competition – and oversaw an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1.

Prior to his move to France, he managed both Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, securing 15th and 14th-place finishes in his first seasons with the two sides respectively, securing their top-flight status on both occasions.

He will be joined at Portman Road by Tim Jenkins, Neil Critchley and Ed Ames, who all join the Town backroom staff having worked alongside O’Neil at Strasbourg.

"It is an honour to be appointed Manager of this great football club,” O’Neil said.

"I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by.

“There is a strong vision and ambition at this club and I am fully aware of the responsibility that brings, given how much it means to its supporters and to the community of Ipswich and Suffolk.

“We all know the challenge ahead as we prepare for the season together and I’m excited to meet everyone and get to work.”

Chairman Mark Ashton said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome Gary to Ipswich Town.

“He is a manager who has been on our radar for some time and, following a thorough and robust process, during which we met with a wide range of candidates, it became clear he was the leading candidate for the position.

“He is highly motivated, highly regarded, has an incredible attention to detail and tactical knowledge and is an excellent coach with a real track record of improving players.

“Despite being just a few years into his managerial career, he has already shown he knows what is required to succeed in the Premier League at both Bournemouth and Wolves, while also leading Strasbourg to a European semi-final last season.

“He brings a hunger and desire to succeed at the top level of the game and, with the full support of everyone at the club, I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Before beginning his coaching career, O’Neil enjoyed an extensive playing career and featured in the Premier League more than 200 times for clubs including Portsmouth, West Ham United, and Middlesbrough. He first stepped into coaching six years ago within the Liverpool academy set-up, before joining Scott Parker’s backroom staff at Bournemouth in 2021.

He played his part in the Cherries earning promotion from the Championship, then just four games into the 2022/23 season was appointed interim head coach at Vitality Stadium. The club’s upturn in form saw him offered the role permanently in November, and he went on to oversee a strong campaign as the South Coast side comfortably retained their position in the Premier League.

He departed at the conclusion of that season but, just a few days before the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign, was back in the dugout with Wolves, where he enjoyed a successful season which saw his side finish 14th in the Premier League and reach the last eight of the FA Cup.

O’Neil’s next role was in France with Strasbourg in January of 2026, where he secured victories over the likes of Monaco and Lyon in Ligue 1, alongside a run to the last four of the Europa Conference League.

The new Town boss will be officially unveiled at a press conference at Portman Road from 4.05pm on Tuesday, 23 June, with supporters able to watch live on TownTV.

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