Blues keen to Cook up promotion

TONY BANKS

IPSWICH have named former Wigan boss Paul Cook as their new manager.

Cook, 54, signed a contract until the summer of 2023 to succeed Paul Lambert (below), who left the League One club by mutual consent on Sunday.

The Blues’ owner Marcus Evans said: “Paul has a proven track record in getting clubs promoted and knows the challenges League One presents.

“But he also has experience of the Championship – and getting back to that level remains our primary focus.”

Ex-chesterfield and Portsmouth boss Cook (above), who has won promotion three times as a manager, said: “I’m proud to be in this position and I’ll be doing everything possible to repay the faith Marcus has shown in me.

“Winning promotion this season is the immediate target. It will be a big challenge, but it’s one everyone at the club has a part to play in.”

Cook had been linked with vacancies at Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday since his time at Wigan came to an end.

In 2018 he won the League One title with the Latics, also reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals. But he left the club in August last year after they were relegated due to a 12-point deduction for going into administration.

PSV have apologised to Ajax after Dusan Tadic had a coin thrown at his head by a supporter outside the Eindhoven club’s ground.

Former Southampton forward Tadic, who scored an injury-time penalty in the 1-1 draw and clashed with PSV’S Denzel Dumfries on the pitch, was targeted after the match.

Three people were arrested after Tadic (above) was struck as he walked to the team bus on Sunday.

PSV general manager Toon Gerbrands spoke to Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, to apologise personally.

A PSV statement said: “It does not fit the values of the club. PSV will always keep in touch with various parties to guarantee the safety of visitors and players to the stadium.”