Paul Lambert extends Ipswich Town contract until 2025

Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has extended his contract by four years, with owner Marcus Evans citing the need for a "long-term vision".

Lambert's previous deal had 18 months left, but he's now signed on until the summer of 2025.

He joined the club in October 2018, and was unable to save them from relegation to League One last season.

They started this season positively, but have seen results drop off in the past few months.

Despite that, Evans said Lambert and his team have been "fantastic" in turning the club around.

He told the club website: “Football management is a precarious business and I have stated many times the importance of having a long term vision which is executed by a management team who are confident that they will be given time to continually improve the performance and quality of the squad.

“The coaching group led by the manager have done a fantastic job in turning a fragile environment - following last season’s relegation - into one where we have a mental expectation to win every game.

“The last few matches have seen results not go our way, however, we should not lose sight of the fact that we have lost only five games in the league in the first half of the season and are performing better at the halfway point than nearly every team that suffered relegation last year from any division.

“Paul has developed a strong squad and has been a catalyst in the Club’s re-engagement with fans, including playing a role in helping to bring new supporters to Portman Road."

The announcement came ahead of Ipswich's New Year's Day fixture away at Wycombe.