BLUES' RECIPE TEMPTS COOK

PAUL Cook says he would rather be the manager of Ipswich Town in League One than take over a “joke” club in the Championship.

- Chris Dunlavy

The 54-year-old openly stated his desire to remain in the second tier after leaving relegated Wigan in August.

But despite being linked with a string of vacancies and rejecting a six-month deal at Sheffield Wednesday, Cook has taken on the task of restoring the fortunes of the Tractor Boys.

“When I came out of Wigan, I probably thought I would be in work quicker than this,” admits the former Chesterfield and Portsmouth boss, who has signed a contract until 2023.

“And yes, I did want to work in the Championship. That’s the truth. But one or two of the offers I did get, the criteria weren’t what I wanted.

“To be perfectly honest, if you look at some of the clubs in the Championship now then - with the greatest of respect to those clubs and their supporters - what they’re doing is an absolute joke, isn’t it? Because they’re in a total mess.

Control

“So whether it’s Paul Cook or someone else in charge, they maybe need to have a look at what they’re doing because they’re taking good clubs down and that’s so wrong.