Ex-assistant has option to reunite with Cook at Ipswich
POMPEY’S FORMER assistant manager Leam Richardson has left the door open to be reunited with Paul Cook at Ipswich Town.
Cook took charge at Portman Road on Tuesday, replacing Paul Lambert as the Tractor Boys aim to salvage their League One promotion hopes.
The ex-Chesterfield boss, who guided Pompey to the League Two title in 2017, has already added former Fratton favourite Gary Roberts to his coaching staff.
Richardson served as Cook's right-hand man on the south coast before the pair departed for Wigan less than a month after the Blues’ fourth-tier triumph.
While Cook resigned at the Latics following their relegation from the Championship last season when hit with a 12-point deduction for entering administration – despite finishing 13th in the table –Richardson stayed at the crisis club.
He’s served as caretaker manager since November, although the crisis club are
rooted to the bottom of League One.
Lambert’s assistant Stuart Taylor has also left Ipswich, meaning there’s a vacancy that needs filling in Cook's backroom.
And Richardson hasn’t ruled himself out of the job.
He told BBC Radio Manchester: ‘I’m absolutely made up for him.
‘I’m maybe a little bit biased because I’ve worked with him for so long but I think he’s one of the best managers out there.
‘How he hasn’t kicked on into the Championship/ Premier League before now is anybody’s guess.
‘But he joins an absolutely massive club in Ipswich with a fantastic owner who has been doing it for a long time and they’re craving success.
‘For Paul, joining there, I have no doubt Ipswich Town will get success.’
When asked if he would consider Cook at Ipswich, Richardson said: ‘He’s never stopped being on the phone and is very conscious of the situation here.
‘He’s always there for advice or how own thoughts on things. That hasn’t changed and everybody has seen my commitment to Wigan at the minute. I think there’s a job to be.
‘I don’t think anybody can question anybody’s integrity. So we will see what happens.’
Cook watched Ipswich’s 2-1 win at Accrington on Tuesday night from the stands along with Roberts.
The Tractor Boys travel to Fratton Park on Saturday, March 20.